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Kenya Celebrates WHO Recognition for Eradicating Sleeping Sickness

8/24/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Kenya has officially eliminated sleeping sickness, recognized by the WHO, becoming the 10th African country to do so.
The disease, transmitted by the tsetse fly, had nearly 40,000 annual cases in the late 1990s but now reports under 1,000 cases yearly.
Success is due to international cooperation, improved diagnostics, and community surveillance efforts.
The WHO aims for complete elimination of sleeping sickness across Africa by 2030.

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Story summary

Kenya has officially eliminated sleeping sickness, recognized by the WHO, becoming the 10th African country to do so.
The disease, transmitted by the tsetse fly, had nearly 40,000 annual cases in the late 1990s but now reports under 1,000 cases yearly.
Success is due to international cooperation, improved diagnostics, and community surveillance efforts.
The WHO aims for complete elimination of sleeping sickness across Africa by 2030.