HAT is the 2nd NTD to be eliminated in Kenya, the 1st being Guinea worm disease (2018)
The causative agent of HAT is a parasitic protozoan, namely, Trypanosoma brucei and the disease exists as 2 separate forms (gambiense and rhodesiense). Rhodesiense (r-HAT) is clinically the more dangerous form and it is already known to have a rapid progression (within weeks) and a very high fatality rate as it involves critical organs such as the brain.
HAT outbreaks in Kenya were exclusively of r-HAT and of recent origin, with the first recorded case being reported in the early 20th century. After growing awareness and control measures, there has been no indigenous new case reported since 2009.
With this achievement, Kenya just became the 10th African country to eliminate HAT. (Though gambiense is the more widely encountered form and accounts for 92% of African disease burden as per WHO 2023 report)
Global efforts to control neglected tropical diseases are advancing steadily, with 57 nations now certified as having eliminated at least one NTD—an increase from 54 in December 2024. This achievement places the world over halfway toward WHO’s target of 100 countries reaching at least one NTD elimination by 2030.

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