The United States and Kenya have launched new biosecurity guidelines and an upgraded digital surveillance system to strengthen the prevention, detection and response to zoonotic diseases.
The initiatives, unveiled in Nairobi on Thursday, September 17, 2026, aim to improve Kenya’s ability to identify animal disease threats early and prevent their spread to humans.
The United States Government, through the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provided technical and financial support for the two initiatives.
The tools include the Biosafety and Biosecurity Guidelines for Live Bird Markets and the updated Kenya Animal Biosurveillance System, known as KABS 2.0.
The launch comes amid continued concerns over avian influenza and other emerging infectious diseases, which pose risks to both animal and human health.
The guidelines provide practical measures to reduce the introduction and spread of avian influenza and other infectious diseases across the poultry value chain. They cover activities ranging from poultry farming and transportation to operations in live bird markets. The United States said the measures would help strengthen disease prevention and reduce the risk of infectious diseases spreading between animals and people.
“Detecting disease threats early and controlling them at their source is one of our strongest defenses against the next public health emergency,” said Dr Gideon Emukule, CDC Kenya Influenza Division Director.
“This work protects people and livelihoods in Kenya while also making Americans safer by reducing the risk of emerging health threats spreading across borders,” he added.
Meanwhile, KABS 2.0 will enable near-real-time collection and reporting of animal disease data across all 47 counties. The upgraded system also integrates laboratory testing results, allowing authorities to identify potential disease threats and respond more quickly.
The system is designed to improve digital disease reporting, data management, analytics and visualisation while generating timely animal health intelligence.
Dr Allan Azegele, Director of Veterinary Services, said the upgraded platform would strengthen disease surveillance and response at both national and county levels.
“The upgraded KABS 2.0 system provides enhanced capabilities for digital disease reporting, data management, analytics, visualization and generating timely animal health intelligence to support disease surveillance and response at national and county levels,” said Azegele.
He described the launch as an important milestone in Kenya’s efforts to strengthen animal disease surveillance, preparedness and response through digital technologies.
The two initiatives support Kenya’s One Health approach, which recognises the connection between human, animal and environmental health.
Through the approach, authorities seek to strengthen coordination between animal and human health systems to address disease threats before they escalate.
The US Government said the implementation of KABS 2.0 and the biosecurity guidelines would improve early warning systems, support faster responses and help contain infectious diseases before they spread.
The launch forms part of the broader partnership between Kenya and the United States on health security, innovation and community protection.
The US Government reaffirmed its commitment to working with Kenya to strengthen health security, protect livelihoods and prevent emerging disease threats from spreading across borders.
The initiatives are expected to support efforts to improve animal health surveillance while reducing risks to communities that depend on livestock and poultry farming for their livelihoods.