Saturday, August 9, 2025
spot_imgspot_img

Top 5 This Week

spot_img

Related Posts

Kenya declared free of sleeping sickness as WHO validates historic public health milestone

Kenya has officially been declared free of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), commonly known as sleeping sickness, after the World Health Organization (WHO) validated its elimination as a public health problem.

The country becomes the tenth in Africa to achieve this milestone and the second to wipe out a neglected tropical disease after eradicating Guinea worm in 2018.

“This validation marks a major public health milestone for Kenya, as we celebrate the elimination of a deadly disease in our country. The achievement will not only protect our people but also pave the way for renewed economic growth and prosperity,” said Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.

Sleeping sickness is a parasitic disease spread by infected tsetse flies. In Kenya, it is caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, which progresses rapidly and can be fatal within weeks if untreated. Symptoms begin with fever, headache, joint pain, and itching, later advancing to confusion, loss of coordination, disrupted sleep patterns, and in severe cases, coma.

Rural communities that rely on farming, fishing, animal husbandry, or hunting have historically been most at risk. While HAT has now been eliminated, the Ministry of Health has pledged to maintain strict surveillance to prevent any re-emergence.

“I congratulate the government and people of Kenya on this landmark achievement. Kenya joins the growing ranks of countries freeing their populations from human African trypanosomiasis. This is another step towards making Africa free of neglected tropical diseases,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Kenya’s fight against HAT dates back to the early 20th century, when cases were first detected in parts of Rift Valley, Nyanza, and the Coast. Ministry of Health records show the disease persisted for decades, with dozens of cases reported annually in the mid-1900s. The last local case was recorded in 2009, while the final two imported cases were linked to the Maasai Mara in 2012.

The government’s elimination strategy included upgrading HAT surveillance in 12 health facilities across six historically affected counties, equipping them with advanced diagnostic tools, and training clinicians on detection techniques. The Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC) also intensified efforts to control tsetse flies and animal trypanosomiasis both in and beyond previous hotspot areas.

“This key milestone reflects Kenya’s efforts and commitment over many years through collaboration between national and county governments, research institutions, partners, and communities,” said Director-General for Health, Dr Patrick Amoth.

WHO, along with partners including FIND, has pledged continued technical support to ensure swift response in case of future cases. The organisation also maintains a reserve of medicines for emergency treatment.

With this success, Kenya joins Benin, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Rwanda, Togo, and Uganda in eliminating HAT. Globally, 57 countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease, marking major progress in tackling illnesses that disproportionately affect the world’s poorest populations.

28 COMMENTS

  1. После прибытия на место врач проводит тщательное обследование пациента. Измеряются основные физиологические параметры — артериальное давление, частота пульса, сатурация кислорода, температура тела. Проводится экспресс-анализ крови на сахар и кислотно-щелочной баланс. Также врач проводит оценку неврологического и психического статуса пациента, проверяет уровень сознания по шкале Глазго, выявляет признаки возможных осложнений: отёка мозга, энцефалопатии, алкогольного делирия. При необходимости принимается решение о дополнительной поддержке (например, вызов реанимационной бригады или немедленный перевод в стационар).
    Выяснить больше – [url=https://narkologicheskaya-pomoshh-novosibirsk0.ru/]экстренная наркологическая помощь в новосибирске[/url]

  2. Discover an abundance of interesting and practical content at our platform.
    From in-depth guides to daily updates , you’ll find for everyone .
    Keep updated with regularly updated content built to educate plus support visitors.
    Here offers a seamless interface easily discover the information you need .
    Connect with of like-minded individuals who benefit from trusted resources daily .
    Dive in immediately and discover the full potential our site has to offer .
    https://iberdroid.net

  3. Hallo an alle, die beim Essen nicht nur satt, sondern auch beseelt sein wollen. Diese Sets von https://daspure-living.de/sind mehr als Geschirr – sie sind kleine Inszenierungen fur Alltag und Anlass, in Farben, die schmecken, noch bevor man probiert. Teller, Schalen, Tassen – alles fuhlt sich an wie Urlaub, der bleibt.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Popular Articles