Thursday, August 7, 2025
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that Kenya has eliminated human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness as a public health problem, making it the tenth country to achieve this milestone. HAT, a second-neglected tropical disease, was already considered eliminated in 2018 with Guinea worm disease, and Kenya is now free of the rhodesiense form of the disease, which is present in eastern and southern Africa. Dr. Aden Duale, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, highlighted this achievement as a significant step toward Africa’s elimination of neglected tropical diseases. The disease, caused by Trypanosoma brucei, is transmitted by tsetse flies and affects rural populations involved in agriculture, fishing, and animal husbandry. Kenya’s efforts, including training health workers and strengthening surveillance in 12 health facilities, have led to the elimination of HAT. The country has also improved monitoring of tsetse flies and trypanosomiasis, supported by the national veterinary health authorities and the Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council. The WHO continues to support the elimination program and maintain resources for post-validation surveillance.
Reference: Kenya achieves elimination of human African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness as a public health problemLabels: WHO
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