By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
Kenya, July 9, 2027 - The United States is providing $14.5 million (KSh1.9 billion) to support Kenya's preparedness for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and enhance the country's ability to prevent, detect, and respond to potential outbreaks.
In a press statement, the US Embassy said American assistance is helping strengthen disease surveillance, laboratory systems, healthcare worker training, emergency response coordination, risk communication and community engagement, and points-of-entry screening to safeguard public health.
As a major transportation, trade, and travel hub linking East and Central Africa, Kenya plays an important role in regional infectious disease preparedness and control, the Embassy said.
"Strengthening preparedness will protect the health and economic well-being of Kenyans, reduce the risk of cross-border spread, and advance the shared regional and global health security mandate," read part of the statement.
The US said that for more than six decades, the United States and Kenya have partnered to advance shared priorities across health, economic development, and security. It added that the support for EVD preparedness builds on this longstanding collaboration, reinforcing Kenya's efforts to strengthen and build resilient public health systems and protect its people.
The Embassy said 22 high-risk counties identified by the Government of Kenya have been targeted for preparedness activities, and more than 800 laboratory professionals have been trained in biosafety, biosecurity, and testing procedures for viral haemorrhagic fevers like Ebola.
Two US government-supported KEMRI laboratories, working with the National Virology Reference Laboratory, are testing suspected EVD samples.
The statement noted that two mobile laboratories have been deployed to expand rapid diagnostic capacity in high-risk areas, reducing turnaround time for Ebola test results.
More from Kenya
More than 1,700 Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (FELTP) disease detectives have also been trained to support outbreak response.
The Embassy said 120 national responders have been trained through a National Rapid Response Team Training of Trainers Programme, and more than 160 county-level responders have been trained in high-risk border counties.
Twenty-seven county and national Emergency Operating Centres (EOCs) have been activated, and about 12 additional high-risk counties have been identified for EOC establishment and operationalisation.
"Supporting disease surveillance to serve as early warning systems, enabling health authorities to rapidly detect potential disease threats, outbreak investigation, laboratory testing, and contact tracing," read part of the statement.
The US said it is supporting healthcare worker training, infection prevention and control, procurement of testing laboratory supplies, facility preparedness, risk communication and community engagement, EOC activation, and public health screening at points of entry and in high-risk areas.
"In today's interconnected world, an infectious disease threat anywhere can quickly become a global threat. Investing in preparedness helps stop outbreaks early, before they spread, safeguarding lives, economic security, and regional stability," they added.