National Current Affairs
Kenya Eliminated Sleeping Sickness
- 11 Aug 2025
- 2 min read
Why in News?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially certified Kenya as free from human African trypanosomiasis—commonly known as sleeping sickness—marking a significant public health victory for the nation.
- With this achievement, Kenya becomes the tenth country globally to eliminate the disease as a public health challenge.
- This is the second neglected tropical disease eliminated in Kenya, following the country’s WHO certification as Guinea worm disease-free in 2018.
Key Points About Sleeping sickness
- Sleeping sickness, caused by protozoan parasites transmitted by tsetse flies, is characterized by initial symptoms such as fever, headaches, and joint pain.
- In advanced stages, patients suffer from neurological effects, disrupted sleep patterns, confusion, and behavioral changes.
- The sleeping sickness is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Sleeping sickness significantly reduces the productivity of both humans and cattle (zebu cattle raised by Maasai tribes of eastern Africa).
Disease Eradicated by India
- India has eradicated Smallpox (1980), Polio (2014), Plague, Rinderpest (the Cattle Plague), Yaws and Maternal And Neonatal Tetanus (2015), trachoma (2024).
- India received Guinea worm disease-free certification status from the WHO in 2000.
Diseases Targeted for Elimination in India
- Malaria: Achieve zero indigenous cases by 2030.
- Lymphatic Filariasis (LF): Achieve <1% microfilaria rate in endemic areas (elimination by 2030).
- Kala-azar: Achieve annual incidence of <1 case per 10,000 population at block level.
- Certification requires 3 years of sustained elimination.
- Tuberculosis (TB): End TB by 2025 under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).
