Nairobi/Brazzaville/Geneva: The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Kenya as having eliminated human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness, as a public health problem, marking it as the tenth country to achieve this milestone. This is Kenya’s second neglected tropical disease (NTD) to be eliminated, following certification for the eradication of Guinea worm disease in 2018. “I congratulate the government and people of Kenya on this landmark achievement,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, 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.”
HAT is a vector-borne disease caused by the blood parasite Trypanosoma brucei, transmitted to humans through bites of tsetse flies that have acquired the parasites from infected humans or animals. As the name indicates, HAT is transmitted only on the African continent. Rural populations, who are dependent on agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry, or hunting, are most at risk of exposure. The disease exists in two forms: gambiense, prevalent in West and Central Africa, and rhodesiense, found in eastern and southern Africa. In Kenya, only the rhodesiense form (r-HAT) is present, caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. This form progresses rapidly, invading multiple organs, including the brain, and is fatal within weeks if untreated.
“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.” The first cases of HAT in Kenya were detected in the early 20th century. No indigenous cases have been reported since 2009, and the last two exported cases, detected in the Masai Mara National Reserve, occurred in 2012.
Kenya’s success stems from robust surveillance and control measures. The country strengthened HAT surveillance in 12 health facilities across six historically endemic counties, establishing them as sentinel sites equipped with diagnostic tools. Clinical personnel were trained in diagnostic procedures, including the most sensitive and practical tests for r-HAT. The Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC), alongside national veterinary health authorities, actively monitors tsetse flies and animal trypanosomiasis within and beyond historical HAT endemic areas. These efforts provide critical data supporting Kenya’s claim of HAT elimination as a public health problem.
“This key milestone reflects Kenya’s efforts and commitment over many years, as a collaboration between national and county governments, national research institutions, development partners and affected communities,” said Dr. Patrick Amoth, EBS, Director General Health, Ministry of Health, Kenya. “The country remains fully committed to sustaining the quality of care and surveillance in line with WHO’s recommendations.”
Supported by WHO and partners, including FIND, Kenya’s HAT elimination programme will implement a post-validation surveillance plan to detect any potential resurgence or reintroduction of transmission. WHO supports ongoing monitoring in previously affected areas and maintains a stock of medicines for 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.”
Globally, 57 countries have eliminated at least one NTD. Ten, including Kenya, have eliminated HAT as a public health problem: Benin, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Rwanda, Togo, and Uganda. This milestone aligns with WHO’s 2021–2030 road map for NTDs, targeting rhodesiense HAT elimination as a public health problem and gambiense HAT transmission interruption by 2030.
– global bihari bureau
