The workshop participants

Nairobi – In response to the Kenya Meteorological Department's projection of heavy rainfall and elevated risk of Rift Valley fever (RVF) during the upcoming October-November-December 2023 season, the Zoonotic Disease Unit (ZDU), with support from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), initiates a response to enhance RVF preparedness and response.

Rift Valley fever, a vector-borne zoonotic disease, poses a substantial threat to both human and livestock populations, particularly during periods of above-average rainfall. The potential for explosive outbreaks and associated health and economic losses necessitates proactive measures.

In response to this potential crisis, the ZDU, with the invaluable support of FAO, proposes a two-fold strategy namely Community -Level Enhanced Syndromic Surveillance and training of rapid response teams to mitigate health and economic losses.

Community-level Enhanced Syndromic Surveillance

With financial support from the United States Agency for International Development - Global Health Security Agenda (USAID-GHSA), a targeted Enhanced Syndromic Surveillance (ESS) initiative will be launched to fortify early detection measures against RVF in high-risk counties where the potential impact of RVF is anticipated to be significant. To operationalize this surveillance effort, a cadre of 40 reporting officers, including three animal health assistants and two public health officers from each county, is recruited and trained to strengthen passive surveillance mechanisms and enhance regional readiness for effective RVF outbreak response.

Training of Rapid Response Teams

A comprehensive Rapid Response Team Training, supported by German funding, is in progress to enhance early detection, prevention, and response to RVF in Kenya's ten high-risk counties. This initiative brings together a diverse group of health professionals, forming well-coordinated teams crucial for efficient RVF outbreak response. The training adapts national and international frameworks and standards, focusing on key areas such as enhanced syndromic and event-based surveillance, outbreak investigations, sample collections, risk assessment, and communication strategies.

In the official opening, on behalf of the FAO Representative in Kenya, Rinah Wangila, said "This training initiative is a significant step towards building a coordinated and effective response to potential RVF outbreaks. Strengthening health coordination in Kenya is vital for safeguarding public health and minimizing the impact on livelihoods." Dr. Athman Mwatondo who represented the ZDU emphasised that "Collaborative efforts, like these trainings, strengthen the overall health coordination in Kenya, enhance risk communication and community engagement and contribute to a more resilient and prepared nation. This will contribute to early detection and containment of disease in animal population”, he added.

FAO is actively implementing anticipatory actions for agriculture and livelihoods, aiming to safeguard lives, enhance community resilience, and mitigate the immediate effects of floods, reducing the risks associated with El Niño, including the outbreak of Rift Valley fever.

For further information, please contact:

Joseph Othieno

National Communications Specialist

FAO Kenya

Email: [email protected]

Yanira Santana

Emergency Reporting and Outreach

FAO ECTAD Africa

Email : [email protected]