Epidemic Response • Kala-azar • Pandemic Preparedness • ASAL Health Systems

Wajir County Pandemic & Epidemic Response — Kala-azar and Emerging Infectious Disease

County-Level Infectious Disease Emergency Response Framework (ASAL Region, Kenya)

Wajir County, Kenya 2025 – Present Epidemic Preparedness & Response

A pioneering county-wide infectious disease response initiative focused on improving detection, management, and mortality reduction for Kala-azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis) and emerging infections in Wajir County through standardized clinical guidelines and epidemic preparedness systems.

Project Background

Wajir County faces a disproportionate burden of neglected tropical diseases, particularly Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar), compounded by extremely limited specialist infectious disease capacity.

Prior to this intervention, the absence of standardized screening protocols and clinical guidelines led to delayed case detection and preventable mortality across multiple health facilities.

This project was developed to establish a structured, evidence-based epidemic response system tailored to ASAL (Arid and Semi-Arid Lands) contexts, ensuring early detection and improved clinical outcomes.

Project Statistics

188

Health Facilities Covered

781K+

Population Served

6

Sub-Counties

1

County-Wide Guideline

Project Objectives

Early Disease Detection

Improve screening protocols for Kala-azar and co-infections.

Clinical Management

Standardize treatment and case management guidelines for epidemic diseases.

Mortality Reduction

Reduce preventable deaths through evidence-based interventions.

System Strengthening

Establish a county-wide epidemic preparedness and response framework.

Key Activities

  • Development of WHO-aligned clinical response guidelines
  • Design of ASAL-adapted screening algorithms
  • Authorship of mortality-reduction protocols
  • County-wide dissemination of clinical guidelines
  • Training and sensitisation of health facility teams
  • Coordination across 188 health facilities
  • Clinical oversight at Wajir County Referral Hospital
  • Integration of epidemic response frameworks into county systems

Leadership Role

Position

Lead Clinical Specialist / Primary Author

Partners

Wajir County Health Department, County Referral Hospital, Public Health Teams

Designed and authored county epidemic response guidelines

Directed clinical decision-making across county response system

Coordinated dissemination to 188 health facilities

Provided specialist infectious disease oversight

Epidemic Response Coverage Impact

Screening Systems
Clinical Management
Response Coordination

Major Achievements & Public Health Impact

First ASAL Guideline

Produced and implemented the first ASAL-specific Kala-azar clinical guideline in Wajir.

Reduced Mortality

Achieved measurable reduction in patient mortality following guideline adoption.

Full County Coverage

Disseminated protocols across 188 health facilities in 6 sub-counties.

National Significance

Established the first specialist-led epidemic response framework of its kind in the region.

@2026 One Health Antimicrobial Resistance Network (OHAAN). All rights reserved.