Project Details

Applying Japanese diagnostic techniques for the detection of infectious diseases in Africa
Outbreaks of zoonotic arboviral diseases* including yellow fever and Rift Valley fever are frequent in Kenya and other African countries. We will apply diagnostic technology developed in Nagasaki University to produce affordable and rapid diagnostic kits including point-of-care (POC) test kits to be used in peripheral healthcare facilities and local communities. These kits will facilitate early identification of disease outbreaks. An outbreak early warning sytem through the use of mobile phones is currently being established to effectively and rapidly relay information from peripheral areas to the central government. In collaboration with WHO and other international organizations, we envisage to share this technology with the neighboring countries to create an international outbreak alert system for rapid containment of outbreaks.
* Viral diseases spread to people and vertebrate animals through arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks.

Developing simplified diagnostic kits and building a nationwide early warning network
Point-of-care test kits will be developed, evaluated and tailored to local needs. In addition, scientific research will be carried out to assess the effectiveness of the bi-directional mobile phone outbreak alert system model that connects peripheral health facilities and the central government. This system will be established through collaborations with the Ministry of Health and a university in Kenya.