By Science Africa correspondent
Kenya becomes the tenth country in Africa to eliminate Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, as a public health concern. The other countries that have reached this milestone are Benin, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Rwanda, Togo and Uganda.
Sleeping sickness is a vector-borne disease caused by the blood parasite Trypanosoma brucei. It is transmitted to humans through the bites of tsetse flies that have acquired the parasites from infected humans or animals. Rural populations dependent on agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry or hunting are most at risk of exposure.
The disease exists in two forms, gambiense and rhodesiense. The rhodesiense form, caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (r-HAT), is the only one present in Kenya. The disease progresses rapidly, invading multiple organs, including the brain. Without treatment, it is fatal within weeks.
“I congratulate the government and people of Kenya on this landmark achievement,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General. “Kenya joins the growing ranks of countries freeing their populations of human African trypanosomiasis. This is another step towards making Africa free of neglected tropical diseases”.
The first cases of HAT in Kenya were detected in the early 20th century. Since then, Kenya has engaged in consistent control activities, without indigenous new cases reported for over 10 years. The last local case was detected in 2009, and the last two exported cases, infected in the Masai Mara National Reserve, were detected in 2012.
Some of the control activities include strengthening HAT surveillance in 12 health facilities in six historically endemic counties to act as sentinel sites, equipping the facilities with diagnostic tools and training clinical personnel on diagnostic procedures, including the most sensitive and practical tests for r-HAT.
The country also actively monitors the control and surveillance of tsetse flies and animal
trypanosomiasis, both within and beyond the historical HAT endemic areas, supported by the national veterinary health authorities and the Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC). These activities and the related data provide supplementary backing to the claim of HAT elimination as a public health problem.
“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 Dr Aden Duale, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health. “This follows many years of dedication, hard work and collaboration”.
Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director General Health, Ministry of Health, Kenya, noted that the milestone reflects Kenya’s efforts and commitment over many years, adding that collaboration between different stakeholders was very crucial.
“The country remains fully committed to sustain the quality of care and surveillance in line with WHO’s recommendations,” he said.
Supported by WHO and partners, including FIND, Kenya’s HAT elimination programme will now implement a post-validation surveillance plan to detect any potential resurgence or
reintroduction of transmission. WHO continues to support ongoing monitoring in previously
affected areas and maintains a stock of medicines to ensure rapid treatment of possible future cases, thanks to donations from Bayer AG and Sanofi.
“This success was made possible by the Ministry of Health’s leadership, the dedication of health workers in areas at risk and the support from key partners,” said Dr Abdourahmane Diallo, WHO Representative to Kenya. “WHO is proud to have contributed to this achievement and encourages all stakeholders to remain involved in post-validation monitoring”.
HAT is the second neglected tropical disease (NTD) to be eliminated in Kenya: the country was certified free of Guinea worm disease in 2018.
