Archive · 9 Aug 2025
WHO Declares Kenya Free of Sleeping Sickness
Kenya has been declared free of sleeping sickness by the World Health Organisation.
This means the disease is no longer a public health problem in the country.
Sleeping sickness is caused by tiny parasites spread by tsetse flies, causing symptoms like fever and confusion.
Kenya has been working to get rid of the disease since the early 1900s, with the last cases found over a decade ago.
This achievement marks an important step for Kenya in improving public health, making it the 10th country to reach this milestone.
The WHO praised Kenya's efforts in eliminating this disease.
Kenya has been certified by the WHO as free of sleeping sickness, a public health challenge.
This makes Kenya the 10th country to eliminate the disease.
The disease is caused by parasites transmitted by infected tsetse flies, leading to symptoms like fever and neurological issues.
Kenya detected its first case in the early 20th century and has since implemented mitigation efforts.
The last cases were detected in 2012 in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
- Who
- The World Health Organisation (WHO) certified Kenya.
- What
- Kenya has eliminated sleeping sickness as a public health challenge.
- When
- The WHO certified the elimination recently.
- Where
- Kenya
- Why
- Kenya had robust mitigation activities and surveillance to eliminate sleeping sickness.
- Disease
- Human African Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness)
- Cause
- Protozoan parasites transmitted by tsetse flies
- Symptoms
- Fever, headaches, joint pain, neurological symptoms
- First Case in Kenya
- Early 20th century
- Last Exported Cases
- 2012
- Sentinel Sites
- 12 health facilities across six counties