Kenya Strengthens Influenza Surveillance with Support from US CDC

Since 2006, Kenya has been conducting surveillance for influenza and other respiratory pathogens, thanks to funding and technical support from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This collaboration has significantly bolstered research efforts at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri).

Kemri and the US CDC are dedicated to improving laboratory standards for detecting influenza and other respiratory viruses in Kenya. They are focused on enhancing biosafety measures and overall laboratory quality to better handle these pathogens.

During a CDC-facilitated capacity building workshop, Dr. Festus Tolo, representing Kemri’s acting Director General Elijah Songok, emphasized the vital role laboratory science plays in addressing infectious diseases like influenza. Dr. Tolo highlighted the global health implications of robust laboratory practices.

Influenza Outbreak in Kenya

In March, the Health Ministry confirmed an influenza outbreak. Acting Director General Patrick Amoth refuted claims of a new Covid-19 variant, JN1, contributing to a spike in cases. Dr. Amoth clarified that the increase in coughs and sore throats was due to seasonal flu, not Covid-19. He noted that Kenya typically experiences peaks in influenza cases from February to March and July to November, and current hospitalizations and deaths are consistent with expected seasonal flu patterns.

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine noted a significant burden of influenza during the 2009 pandemic in Kenya. However, recent national estimates of influenza burden are lacking, underscoring the need for updated data to guide vaccine policy.

Regional Collaboration and Training

At the Kemri workshop, CDC Influenza Programme Director Gideon Emukule welcomed participants from Togo, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Zanzibar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Kenya. He stressed the need for increased efforts to combat influenza across the region. Training and investment in experts were identified as crucial for managing influenza effectively, with expertise from Kenya’s National Influenza Center playing a key role.

Dr. Tolo highlighted the importance of continued funding and technical support from the US CDC in advancing influenza research and surveillance at Kemri. He called for more resources to sustain these efforts.Dr. Emukule shared insights into the latest advancements in influenza surveillance and laboratory practices, emphasizing the global public health threat posed by respiratory pathogens like influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and respiratory syncytial virus. He expressed confidence that the workshop equipped participants with advanced knowledge in laboratory science, microbiology, virology, and biosafety.