KGS Students Receive AAHCI Leadership Merit Awards
May 30, 2024
KEMRI Undergoes Africa CDC CoE Evaluation
May 30, 2024Focus on Influenza During Key CDC Workshop
The Institute had the honor of hosting a significant capacity-building workshop facilitated by the US Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 20th – 24th May 2024 at the KEMRI Headquarters which focused on laboratory quality measures for influenza, biosafety, and other respiratory viruses.
Dr. Festus Tolo who represented the Ag. Director General, Prof. Elijah Songok and the CDC Influenza Program Director Dr. Gideon Emukule officiated during the opening ceremony.
At least 15 participants drawn from seven different African countries, including Togo, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Zanzibar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and hosts Kenya, attended the workshop that sought to enhance skills and knowledge of participants.
Key expertise was pooled from Kenya’s National Influenza Center located at the National Public Health Laboratories and KEMRI’s Center for Global Health Research (CGHR) that are routinely involved in handling and testing specimens for various respiratory pathogens.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Tolo extended a warm welcome to the attendees and emphasized the crucial role that laboratory science plays in the global health landscape, particularly in the context of infectious diseases like Influenza.
He underscored the substantial efforts that are ongoing worldwide to combat influenza and other respiratory viruses, underlining the importance of such training sessions in building the capacity of laboratory professionals.
He acknowledged the continued partnership with CDC, which has been instrumental in enhancing surveillance and response mechanisms for better health outcomes across the globe.
“With the funding and technical support from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kenya has been conducting surveillance for influenza and other respiratory pathogens since 2006, this support has been instrumental in carrying out research here at KEMRI, and the National Influenza Center (NIC) located at the National Public Health Laboratories,” he informed.
“It is my hope that the skills that you gain at this workshop will be greatly useful in your work as a scientist, with an interest on respiratory and other infectious diseases in your respective laboratories and countries and in return contributes to a more robust and responsive network for disease surveillance and control globally,” KEMRI’s Dr. Festus Tolo stated.
The workshop covered a broad array of health topics critical to the participants’ professional development.
Sessions included detailed discussions on laboratory quality assurance practices, biosafety measures, and advanced diagnostic techniques for respiratory viruses. Participants engaged in both theoretical learning and practical hands-on laboratory exercises, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the subjects.
The CDC Influenza Program Director, Dr. Emukule brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the workshop and provided in-depth insights into the latest advancements in influenza surveillance and laboratory practices which helped participants grasp complex concepts and apply them effectively in their respective countries.
“Respiratory pathogens such as influenza, SARSCoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and others continue to pose a global public health threat, and are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality burden globally. I strongly believe that this workshop has equipped you with an advanced understanding of laboratory science, microbiology/virology and Biosafety measures in laboratories,” Dr. Emukule remarked.
Throughout the workshop, there were numerous opportunities for participants to share their experiences and challenges faced in their home countries. This exchange of information fostered a collaborative environment
where best practices and innovative solutions could be discussed and adapted.
According to the organizers, the presence of participants from diverse regions and their active engagement in the sessions highlighted the universal importance of enhancing laboratory Biosafety measures to manage
mitigating the impacts of respiratory viruses.
The workshop concluded with a call to action for continued commitment to improving laboratory standards and fostering international cooperation. The collaborative efforts of the KEMRI-CDC and the participating countries are expected to yield substantial benefits in the ongoing fight against influenza and other respiratory viruses.
