kenya’s response to an anticipated bioterrorism attack · presenter dr. a. ochieng aluoch,...

KENYA’S RESPONSE TO AN ANTICIPATED

BIOTERRORISM ATTACK

Thursday, August 26, 2010Dr. A. Ochieng Aluoch, Chairman NBTWC - [email protected]

PresenterDr. A. Ochieng Aluoch,

Chairman, National Biological and Toxin Weapons Committee (NBTWC)

BWC Meeting of Experts, Geneva, Switzerland 23rd – 27th August, 2010


BACKGROUND - KENYA

Located in in E. Africa Area of 583,000 km2

Population – 39 Million50 % live in rural areas

Has unstable neighboring countries

No governmentAt war for several yearsHave suspected terrorist activities

Thursday, August 26, Dr. A. Ochieng Aluoch, Chairman NBTWC - [email protected]

BACKGROUND

National Biological Weapons and Toxins Committee (NBWTC)

Established in 2008 to spearhead BWC implementation National Council for Science & Technology is the National Focal point for BWC and provides secretariat to NBWTC

NBTWC is tasked withDrafting a Biosecurity PolicyDrafting a Biosecurity BillCoordinating the filling of CBM forms


BACKGROUND

Kenya is also a signatory to the WHO’s International Health regulations (IHR)

Since 2005

We have been implementing the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response [IDSR] strategy since 1998.


DISEASE SURVEILLANCE STRUCTURE


Community focal persons (proposed)

National National Disease Surveillance Coordinator and focal persons for EPI target diseases

Provincial Disease Surveillance Coordinator

District Disease Surveillance Coordinator

Hospital Surveillance Coordinator

Provincial

District

Health FacilityCommunity

Surveillance structure

SPECIFIC GOALS OF IDSR


IN THE EVENT OF DELIBERATE RELEASE

OF A BIOLOGICAL AGENT?


IN THE EVENT OF AN BIOTERRORISM ATTACK

The response can be categorized as follows:


HEALTH RESPONSE


HEALTH RESPONSE

Response mainly from the Ministry of Public HealthThe Director of Public Health and Sanitation would take lead through the Division of Disease Surveillance and response


HEALTH RESPONSE

The response would depend on :The form of the attack-

OVERT • the disease has a short incubation period, the affected

area and persons may be localized

COVERT –• the disease has a long incubation period, the affected

persons may be identified from different areas in the country at the same time.

The severity of the attackCausing MORBIDITY or MORTALITY


HEALTH RESPONSE

A strong health surveillance system is necessary for effective health response

Kenya is already implementing Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy with Priority Diseases

However, in the event of an attack, the agent involved may not be within the priority list of diseases – may require identification [need for BSL3 labs] A higher frequency of reporting would be required


A 24/7 reporting station maybe required with state –of-the-art- equipment to relay information will be required

additional reporting sources may be required especially in remote rural areas

Improvement of National Veterinary Services which is currently weak80 percent of pathogenic agents that can potentially be used in bioterrorism are zoonotic

QuarantineKenya requires more quarantine facilities at the

district level and border entry points


IN SUMMARY – KENYA NEEDS


SECURITY RESPONSE


SECURITY RESPONSE

The National Operation Center - under Office of the President is responsible for the security response

The president in his capacity as the commander in chief of the armed forces will provide leadership in the responseThe Kenya police, Army and other security organs would be involved

However, they need trainingon BIOSECURITY


SECURITY RESPONSE

If the attack is InternationalKenya would lodge a formal complaint to the United Nations Security Council [ as per the 1st and second review Conferences]


IN SUMMARY – KENYA NEEDS


PRECAUTIONS – KENYA NEEDS


ADDITIONALLY

Biosecurity Education –Sensitization of dual-use research to scientists, policy-makers and security forces to enhance biosecurity


kenya’s response to an anticipated bioterrorism attack · presenter dr. a. ochieng aluoch,...

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