Establishing a One Health office in Kenya

Abstract

A One Health (OH) approach that integrates human,animal and environmental approaches to management of zoonotic diseases has gained momentum in the last decadeas part of a strategy to prevent and control emerging infectious diseases. However, there are few examples of howan OH approach can be established in a country. Kenya establishment of an OH office, referred to asthe Zoonotic Disease Unit (ZDU) in 2011. The ZDU bridges theanimal and human health sectors with a senior epidemiologist deployed from each ministry; and agoal of maintaining collaboration at the animal and human health interface towards better prevention and control of zoonoses. The country is adding an ecologist to the ZDU to ensure that environmental risks are adequately addressed in emerging disease control.

Anthrax Outbreak Investigation among Humans and Animals in Northern Ghana: Case Report

“…In recognition of the complex interplay of social, behavioural, cultural, economic, human, animal and environmental health factors in the causation and transmission of anthrax in northern Ghana, a One Health Approach methodology was used in this investigation. This is one of the most effective approaches to curb anthrax and other zoonotic diseases [34]. The number of deaths reported both in livestock and humans were an accumulation from February to April 2013.…”

“…The investigation adopted the One Health Approach [34]. That is, involvement of the regional health system and veterinary service in UER.…”

“…The One Health Approach recognizes that the health of humans, animals and ecosystems are interconnected. The approach involves applying a coordinated, collaborative, multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral approach to address potential or existing risks that originate at the animal-humanecosystems interface [34].…”

Policy Perspectives of Dog-Mediated Rabies Control in Resource-Limited Countries: The Ethiopian Situation

“…Operationalizing such a cross-sectoral agenda could be challenging in most countries ( 48 ). However, some countries, Kenya and Haiti, for instance, have successfully established a zoonotic disease unit and implemented ( 48 , 49 ). Apart from rabies, in Ethiopia, some of the top-listed diseases in terms of health burden like diarrheal diseases are partly zoonotic ( 22 ), indicating a broader benefit for operationalizing a One Health approach.…”

From recognition to action: A strategic approach to foster sustainable collaborations for rabies elimination

“…Much of Kenya’s progress in rabies elimination has been noted by the activities conducted between 2000 and 2015, including their initial efforts to describe the epidemiology of rabies and assess the most effective vaccination strategy for rabies elimination through empirical data and mathematical modeling [ 57 , 58 ]. In 2012, the Kenyan government established the Kenya Zoonotic Disease Unit (ZDU) [ 59 ] to improve communication between the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries, with the mandate of fostering collaboration between key health sectors for the management of zoonotic diseases. One of the primary goals of the ZDU was to enhance or build zoonotic epidemic and endemic disease surveillance and to coordinate implementation of control measures.…”