Kenya has officially eradicated sleeping sickness as a public health concern.

Kenya has officially eradicated sleeping sickness as a public health concern.

In a historic milestone, Kenya has been validated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as having eliminated Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, as a public health problem. This achievement makes Kenya the second country in Africa, after Rwanda, to achieve this feat.

The elimination of HAT is a testament to Kenya's commitment over many years to collaboration between national and county governments, research institutions, development partners, and communities. The Ministry of Health hails the elimination as "more than a technical milestone."

Prof Kariuki, speaking at the celebration event in Nairobi, emphasized that the work is not over. He committed to supporting countries across Africa to eliminate sleeping sickness for good.

Kenya employed a combination of strategies and interventions to eliminate HAT. Key among these were vector control, enhanced surveillance and diagnosis, improved treatment, sustained government and community engagement, post-elimination surveillance and vigilance, and partnerships and innovation.

Vector control strategies included the deployment of insecticide-treated, odor-baited targets and traps to catch and suppress tsetse flies, the disease vectors. This was particularly effective in the Lambwe Valley, where the incidence of HAT was brought down to zero in targeted areas.

Enhanced surveillance and diagnosis were achieved through the strengthening of health systems, enabling regular active and passive surveillance to detect and treat cases early. Improved laboratory testing capacities, especially in rural and remote settings, also played a crucial role.

Improved treatment was another critical factor. The introduction of safer, oral therapies replaced toxic, arsenic-based drugs, making treatment more accessible, simpler to administer, and less harmful.

Sustained government and community engagement was essential, with the Kenyan government, through entities like the Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC), maintaining ongoing commitment to monitoring and vector control beyond elimination certification to prevent resurgence.

Post-elimination surveillance and vigilance are ongoing, with Kenya continuing post-elimination surveillance and vector control to sustain gains and guard against reemergence.

Collaborative efforts with organizations such as the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) and WHO fostered innovation in diagnostics, treatments, and vector control technologies.

Kenya's post-validation plan includes continued surveillance, early detection, vector control, and integration of HAT services into routine public health systems. The elimination of HAT is a "triumph for the people of Kenya," particularly the communities in the Lake Region.

Dr Adiele Onyeze, WHO Representative, congratulated Kenya for its determination in eliminating HAT. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulated Kenya on eliminating HAT, stating it is another step towards making Africa free of neglected tropical diseases.

It is important to note that HAT is fatal within weeks if untreated, as the parasite invades multiple organs, including the brain. New treatment options have transformed the fight against HAT, replacing toxic, arsenic-based drugs.

Globally, 57 countries have eliminated at least one Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD), and 11, including Kenya, have now eliminated sleeping sickness as a public health problem. Dr Patrick Amoth, Director General for Health in Kenya, described the validation as a "key milestone" for the country.

Dr Onyeze urged vigilance even after elimination, encouraging all stakeholders to remain involved in post-validation monitoring. The elimination of HAT in Kenya reflects the country's commitment to tackling neglected tropical diseases and improving public health for all its citizens.

1. The WHO validation of Kenya's elimination of sleeping sickness highlights a significant victory in the realm of politics and public health.
2. This development underscores the importance of collaboration between various sectors like national governments, research institutions, development partners, and communities.
3. The Ministry of Health in Kenya views this achievement as more than a technical milestone.
4. Prof Kariuki emphasized that the work towards eliminating sleeping sickness needs to continue beyond this point.
5. Kenya's strategy to eliminate sleeping sickness combined vector control, enhanced surveillance and diagnosis, improved treatment, sustained engagement, post-elimination surveillance, and partnerships.
6. Insecticide-treated, odor-baited targets and traps were deployed to control tsetse flies in the Lambwe Valley.
7. Strengthening health systems enabled regular active and passive surveillance for early detection and treatment.
8. Improved laboratory testing capacities, especially in rural and remote areas, played a crucial role.
9. Oral therapies replaced toxic, arsenic-based drugs, making treatment more accessible and less harmful.
10. The Kenyan government's continued commitment to monitoring and vector control beyond elimination certification is essential.
11. Post-elimination surveillance and vector control are ongoing to sustain the gains and guard against reemergence.
12. Collaboration with organizations such as DNDi and WHO fostered innovation in diagnostics, treatments, and vector control technologies.
13. Kenya's post-validation plan includes continued surveillance, early detection, vector control, and integration of HAT services.
14. The elimination of sleeping sickness is a triumph for the people of Kenya, particularly those living in the Lake Region.
15. Dr Adiele Onyeze congratulated Kenya for its determination in eliminating HAT.
16. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulated Kenya on eliminating HAT, deeming it another step towards making Africa free of neglected tropical diseases.
17. Untreated sleeping sickness can be fatal within weeks, as the parasite invades multiple organs, including the brain.
18. The validation of Kenya marks the 11th country to eliminate sleeping sickness as a public health problem.
19. Dr Patrick Amoth, Kenya's Director General for Health, considered the validation a key milestone for the country.
20. Dr Onyeze encouraged all stakeholders to remain involved in post-validation monitoring.
21. Kenya's commitment to eradicating neglected tropical diseases echoes its dedication to improving public health for all its citizens.
22. The elimination of HAT calls for ongoing vigilance to prevent reemergence.
23. Several autoimmune disorders can be managed with therapies and treatments.
24. Chronic diseases such as cancer, respiratory conditions, and digestive health issues often necessitate long-term treatments.
25. Fitness and exercise programs form a significant part of workplace-wellness measures.
26. Mental health issues require sensitive handling in the workplace, and seeking help through therapies is important.
27. Medical conditions like Men's health, Women's health, and skin care require special attention in the health and wellness sector.
28. A healthy diet and weight management are crucial components of the nutrition industry.
29. Aging brings about various medical conditions, such as cardiovascular health concerns and neurological disorders.
30. Entrepreneurs in the health, aerospace,retail, automotive, and finance industries can contribute significantly to society by focusing on innovation, diversity, and leadership.

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