FAO focuses on strengthening of One Health preparedness and response to Ebola Virus Disease and other Priority Zoonotic Diseases
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have partnered in the Quadripartite initiative to implement the One Health Joint Plan of Action (2022-2026) which recognises that the health of humans, animals and ecosystems is interconnected and it has to be approached with a multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary One Health approach.
The Zoonotic Disease Unit (ZDU), Kenya’s national One Health coordination platform, in collaboration with FAO’s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), conducted a subnational workshop from 17 to 21 October 2022, in order to operationalise the Joint Risk Assessment Operational Tool (JRA OT) in four Western Kenya counties.
The workshop objective was to jointly conduct risk assessments for priority zoonotic diseases (PZD), and provide options for risk-based, coordinated management and communication approaches in order to enhance coordination and communication between the animal, human and environmental health sectors the subnational level. The workshop trained 40 animal, human and environmental experts in Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega and Vihiga counties. The goal of this exercise was to enhance the preparedness and readiness, capacity and capability of the animal, human and environmental health systems to respond to the likelihood of introduction and impact of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Kenya at the cross border points of entry (POE). Risk assessment was also conducted for other priority zoonotic diseases; Anthrax in Kakamega, Rabies in Vihiga and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Bungoma.
In his opening remarks, Dr. George Njogu, on behalf of the Directorate of Veterinary Services, reckoned the significance of multi-sectoral collaborations and the need for enhanced preparedness in the face of ongoing EVD in Uganda which poses risk to Kenya and recent Anthrax outbreaks in Kakamega that is of high concern to neighbouring counties and the country.
Overall, four disease specific subnational JRA technical committees were established with technical leads whose mandate was to collaborate with the National Steering Committee (NSC) in preparedness and effective response to cross border and cross-county outbreaks of high consequence zoonotic pathogens. Overarching areas of focus include; capacity building, resource mobilization and harmonization of joint surveillance and outbreak investigations.
Dr. Mark Nanyingi, WHO represented FAO ECTAD affirmed FAOs commitment to support the government in operationalization and institutionalization of One Health through the County One Health Units (COHU). This, he noted will contribute to One Health workforce capacity building, development of early warning systems for emerging zoonoses, harmonised data collection and sharing platforms.
In his closing remarks, Mathew Mutiiria, from the ZDU, on behalf of the Ministry of Health (MoH), reiterated on the need for strengthening the subnational JRA coordination committees and conducting of regular JRA for priority and emerging diseases. Dr. Khadija Chepkorir, from the ZDU outlined the One Health curriculum that has modules on risk communication, simulation exercises and JRA that will be used by the COHUs.
At the end of the workshop, the multi-sectoral teams from each county developed a full JRA report and summary presentation that will be in response and management of imminent outbreaks. Additionally, a table top simulation exercise (SIMEX) on potential introduction of Ebola in Kenya is planned in November by FAO in collaboration with MoH in the high risk counties bordering Uganda.
For further information, kindly contact:
Joseph Othieno
National Communications Specialist
FAO Kenya
Email: [email protected]
Mark Nanyingi
One Health Specialist
FAO ECTAD Kenya
Email : [email protected]