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.
According to statement released by the World Health Body recently revealed that HAT is second neglected tropical disease (NTD) to be eliminated in Kenya, adding that the country was certified free of Guinea worm disease in 2018.
Reacting to this development, the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “I congratulate the government and people of Kenya on this landmark achievement”.
He added, “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”.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, Dr Aden Duale, “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, prosperity. This follows many years of dedication, hard work and collaboration”.
HAT, as the name indicates is transmitted only on the African continent. The disease exists in two forms, gambiense and rhodesiense. The rhodesiense form (r-HAT), which is found in eastern and southern Africa, is the only one present in Kenya.
It is caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and progresses rapidly, invading multiple organs including the brain. Without treatment, it is fatal within weeks.
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 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 HAT 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. 
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 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.
Meanwhile, a total of 57 countries have eliminated at least one NTD. Of these, 10 (including Kenya) have successfully eliminated HAT 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.
