Improving Emergency Preparedness & Response

CDC-Kenya strengthens public health capacity to rapidly identify and contain infectious disease threats as well as respond to natural and man-made disasters.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

Ensuring emergency preparedness and response capability is the responsibility of the MOH and international organizations such as WHO. CDC Kenya works to support the Government of Kenya in implementation of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System (IDSR) and compliance with the International Health Regulations (IHRs). The core elements of the IHR are strong surveillance, laboratory, workforce, and strategic information systems. CDC Kenya also supports global preparedness through health systems strengthening and active participation in public health responses to disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and other emergencies. The country office often delivers onsite technical support and training for data collection and analysis, providing the basis for effective response to health threats and public health emergencies. CDC Kenya has had an important role in the development of Kenya’s first Public Health Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

Outbreak Investigations

CDC Kenya’s integrated approach to disease detection and response helps reduce the time it takes to identify and control public health risks, helping to stop dangerous outbreaks before they spread. CDC Kenya works to help the Government of Kenya and other governments in the region detect and respond to serious public health threats, including in refugee camps where outbreaks frequently occur.

Additionally, CDC Kenya provides technical assistance to governments in the East Africa region to ensure rapid, coordinated detection and response and promote comprehensive outbreak surveillance. In the case of an outbreak, CDC deploys experts at a host country’s request for technical assistance and diagnostic support. CDC Kenya often assists with developing case definitions and outbreak control plans, receives specimens for diagnosis confirmation, and provides supplies for response efforts. CDC Kenya and Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program residents will go into communities, hospitals, refugee camps, and border areas to assist in finding cases, documenting the outbreak, and implementing control strategies and risk communication.

Ongoing analysis of outbreak responses often leads to the development of research and surveillance projects to predict future outbreaks, measure severe outcomes, and map areas of highest risk. For example, emerging zoonotic diseases (including anthrax, Rift Valley Fever, and brucellosis), which are naturally transmitted between animals and humans, are on the rise – accounting for over 65 percent of emerging infectious diseases.