FAO hosts USAID high level mission in Kenya
A delegation composed of Cindy McCain, United States Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies in Rome, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representative in Kenya, Carla Mucavi, and World Food Programme Representative and Country Director for Kenya, Lauren Landis completed a two visit to Turkana and Isiolo Counties.
The objective of the field mission was to assess the work of FAO in support of capacity development and technology transfer to reduce the impact of zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases as well as to observe first-hand the challenges faced by communities affected.
In Isiolo, the delegation visited the Livestock Market, in drylands of northern Kenya, where the livestock sector accounts for over 80 percent of residents’ livelihoods and 70 percent of the rural labour force. At this site, the mission was briefed about several USAID-funded activities, such as the Middle East respiratory syndrome–related coronavirus (MERS-CoV) surveillance under a One Health approach.
The delegation also met the In-Service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) graduate, Dr. Wallace Gikonyo. Using his case study of hydatidosis, he demonstrated his improved capacity to collect information and process epidemiological data for informed decision making in control and reduction of the burden of animal diseases in Isiolo county.
During the site visit, the delegation was introduced to the way FAO ECTAD has conducted the MERS-CoV operational research project under USAID funding in Isiolo. Based on the clarification of the zoonotic risk of MERS-CoV to the country and to global health security, coupled with risk mapping conducted using camel value chain studies and Knowledge, Attitudes and Practises (KAP) studies on camel respiratory conditions, practices on MERS-CoV in Kenya have improved over the last five years enabling Kenya to support regional-level screening and evaluation for MERS CoV before whole camel can be shipped to Egypt and the Middle East countries. In addition, this project has enabled the in-country capacity building of the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) in Kabete to be able to effectively optimise the diagnostic procedures for MERS CoV and support diagnosis in-country.
The mission also witnessed FAO’s interventions in response of the current drought, animal sourced foods utilization and post desert locust recovery activities.
During the visit, Ambassador McCain had the opportunity to witness the functions of the Isiolo County One Health Unit (COHU) in surveillance and response to transboundary and zoonotic diseases. “These people are helping to protect Global Health Security, animal health and our health!” she said after spending some time at the livestock market learning how the Isiolo County One Health Unit tracks animal diseases.
For further information, kindly contact:
Pauline Akolo
Communications Specialist FAO Kenya
Email: [email protected]
Yanira Santana
Emergency Reporting and Outreach Specialist FAO ECTAD Africa
Email: [email protected]