The County Government of Turkana has taken proactive measures to enhance its preparedness for the Ebola Virus Disease by training 100 health care workers in Kakuma and Lodwar. This four-day sensitization program, conducted in collaboration with Amref Health Africa's Imarisha Jamii project and the International Rescue Committee's Core Group partners project, brought together various health professionals. The training focused on essential aspects of EVD preparedness and response.
The training sessions, led by multi-sectoral Trainers of Trainers, covered critical topics such as Risk Communication and Community Engagement during health emergencies. Participants also received instruction on cross-border sensitization, population mapping, water, sanitation, and hygiene assessment, surge recruitment and vetting, leadership and coordination, surveillance, case management, and mental health and psychosocial support. These sessions aimed to equip health workers with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively respond to EVD outbreaks.
Officials have identified Turkana as a high-risk county due to its geographical location and demographic characteristics. The county shares borders with Uganda, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, and hosts refugees from over 30 nationalities. Additionally, more than 60 percent of its residents are pastoralists, making the population highly mobile. This mobility, combined with the county's history of outbreaks, including cholera, measles, anthrax, and Kala-Azar, underscores the need for enhanced surveillance and preparedness measures.
The risk of EVD transmission is further exacerbated by the high number of health workers affected in recent outbreaks. According to the World Health Organization's Regional Office for Africa situation report for September 2026, 47 of the 222 confirmed deaths in the Bundibugyo Virus Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo were health workers. This highlights the importance of providing health workers with the necessary training and equipment to protect themselves and respond effectively to EVD outbreaks.
Despite Uganda declaring an end to its EVD outbreak, Turkana continues to screen travelers at entry points. By the end of July 2026, the county had screened 5,257 people at various entry points, including Nadapal, Kainuk, Lokirama, Loya, Natukobenyo, and Lokichoggio. More than 40 health workers were deployed to support this effort, demonstrating the county's commitment to preventing the spread of EVD.
The Department of Health and Sanitation is also establishing a Public Health Emergency Operations Center with support from FHI 360 and KNPHI. This center will coordinate alerts, information, and decision-making during health emergencies, including EVD outbreaks. The county has published 11 situation reports to date, compared to 19 from the WHO, indicating its efforts to enhance its surveillance and response capabilities.
The training of health workers and enhanced surveillance measures are critical components of Turkana's strategy to prevent and respond to EVD outbreaks. By strengthening its preparedness and response capabilities, the county aims to reduce the risk of EVD transmission and protect the health and well-being of its residents.
Key points
- The County Government of Turkana has trained 100 health care workers on Ebola Virus Disease preparedness.
- Turkana is a high-risk county due to its geographical location and demographic characteristics.
- The county continues to screen travelers at entry points, having screened 5,257 people by the end of July 2026.
