The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Kenya as having eliminated human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness as a public health problem, making it the tenth country to reach this important milestone.
The rhodesiense form, which is found in eastern and southern Africa, is the only one present in Kenya. It is caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (r-HAT) and progresses rapidly invading multiple organs including the brain. Without treatment, sleeping sickness is fatal within weeks.
Sleeping sickness is the second neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Kenya after the country was certified free of Guinea worm disease in 2018.
“I congratulate the government and people of Kenya on this landmark achievement. 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,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “
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.
Kenya’s progress
“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. This follows many years of dedication, hard work and collaboration,” said Aden Duale, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health.
The first cases of sleeping sickness 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 autochthonous case was detected in 2009, and the last two exported cases, infected in the Masai Mara National Reserve, were detected in 2012.
Recently, Kenya strengthened sleeping sickness surveillance in 12 health facilities in six historically endemic counties to act as sentinel sites. They were equipped with diagnostic tools and had their clinical personnel trained on diagnostic procedures, including the most sensitive and practical tests for r-HAT.
Kenya also actively monitors the control and surveillance of tsetse flies and animal trypanosomiasis, both within and beyond the historical sleeping sickness 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 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. The country remains fully committed to sustain the quality of care and surveillance in line with WHO’s recommendations,” said Dr Patrick Amoth, Director General Health, Ministry of Health, Kenya.
Supported by WHO and partners, including FIND, Kenya’s sleeping sickness 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. WHO is proud to have contributed to this achievement and encourages all stakeholders to remain involved in post-validation monitoring,” said Dr Abdourahmane Diallo, WHO Representative to Kenya.
Progress in global sleeping sickness elimination
A total of 57 countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease. Of these, 10 (including Kenya) have successfully eliminated sleeping sickness as a public health problem. The other countries that have reached this milestone are Benin, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Rwanda, Togo and Uganda.