The government has introduced a new Rift Valley Fever Contingency Plan alongside Human Brucellosis Testing Guidelines aimed at boosting the country’s readiness, enhancing early disease detection, and improving coordinated One Health responses to diseases that affect both animals and humans.

Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni led the launch event, describing it as a significant achievement in shielding communities in pastoralist and vulnerable areas from recurring disease outbreaks that pose risks to both human lives and economic wellbeing.

”Creating uniform diagnostic procedures, enhancing the precision of laboratory testing, and strengthening disease monitoring and response capabilities at the county level would be crucial in minimizing incorrect diagnoses and stopping preventable disease outbreaks,” PS Muthoni emphasized.

The new frameworks provide health professionals and veterinary personnel with structured guidance for detecting and managing both Rift Valley Fever and brucellosis, diseases that can transmit from animals to people.

These illnesses have consistently impacted pastoralist populations where livestock and humans exist in close contact.

PS Muthoni acknowledged the joint efforts of government agencies, educational institutions, research bodies, and international development partners, notably the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the University of Liverpool, emphasizing that coordinated action across different sectors is essential for protecting public health, preserving livestock, and maintaining economic stability.