Turkana County has trained 100 health care workers in Kakuma and Lodwar on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) preparedness, part of intensified surveillance efforts along its borders with Uganda, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. The four-day sensitisation, conducted with Amref Health Africa’s Imarisha Jamii project and the International Rescue Committee’s Core Group partners, included County and Sub-County Medical Officers of Health, public health officers, community health focal persons, and other personnel. Sessions focused on Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) during health emergencies, cross-border sensitisation, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) assessments, and mental health support, according to county officials.
The county’s high-risk status stems from its proximity to three bordering nations, a refugee population from over 30 nationalities, and a mobile pastoralist community comprising 60% of residents. Recent outbreaks of cholera, measles, anthrax, and Kala-Azar have heightened concerns. A World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) report noted 47 of 222 confirmed deaths in the 2026 Bundibugyo Virus Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo were health workers, underscoring the dangers faced by frontline staff. Despite Uganda’s declared end to its outbreak, Turkana continues screening travelers, having assessed 5,257 individuals by July 2026 at entry points like Nadapal and Lokichoggio, with over 40 health workers deployed.
To strengthen response capabilities, the Department of Health and Sanitation is establishing a Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) with support from FHI 360 and the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI). The center will coordinate alerts and decision-making during health emergencies, including EVD. Turkana has released 11 situation reports since the initiative, compared to 19 from the WHO, reflecting its proactive approach to monitoring and mitigating risks in a region vulnerable to cross-border disease transmission.
The training and infrastructure investments align with broader efforts to safeguard a population characterized by mobility and diverse health challenges. Officials emphasized the importance of community engagement and cross-border collaboration in preventing outbreaks, citing lessons from past epidemics. With ongoing surveillance and capacity-building, Turkana aims to mitigate the threat of EVD while addressing existing public health vulnerabilities in the region.