This presentation was made at the Avian Influenza (AI) Emergency Preparedness and Response meeting held on November 7-9 2005 Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting included members of the sponsoring organisations, country representatives, donor partners, and regional organisations involved in the avian influenza (avian flu or bird flu) issue.

The document outlines the risk of AI in Kenya and highlights the country situation regarding human health, animal health and the constraints on the health system. It outlines existing surveillance and diagnostic capacity in the country. The presentation highlights Kenya’s preparedness and response strategy which includes the need for communication.

Kenya’s preparedness plan includes some of the following measures:

• Emergency Preparedness Plans for other human and animal diseases can be used as templates for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
• In 1996, a legal notice made Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza a notifiable disease in Kenya.
• Notification to World Trade Organisation (WTO) on emergency measures banning poultry from countries that have reported outbreaks of avian flu.
• Sensitisation of veterinary & human professionals and public has started through seminars, official communication & media

The response plan preparation has focused on the following:

• epidemiological surveillance;
• information, education, communication and social mobilisation;
• case management;
• laboratory research;
• infection prevention and control;
• co-ordination & resource mobilisation; and
• human resource mobilisation: additional emergency staff and training.

In terms of surveillance, Kenya has an elaborate national epidemio-surveillance network comprising both public and private veterinary professionals and other stakeholders including livestock keepers and traders. According to the presentation, unsynchronised communication systems is one of a number if challenges in being prepared for and responding to AI.