Veterinary officers in Turkana empowered with e-surveillance skills

Veterinary officers in Turkana County have been equipped with new e-surveillance skills, thanks to a training program supported by the Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC).

The training focuses on enhancing the officers' ability to report and track animal diseases using the Kenya Animal Bio Surveillance System (KABS), a mobile-based application.

Dr Bension Longor, Turkana County Director for Veterinary Services, stated that the two-day training would bolster the capacity of veterinary officers to monitor and manage both existing and emerging zoonotic diseases, particularly in border areas.

“The KABS is an essential tool that will lead to a gradual improvement in the animal disease surveillance system and enhance reporting across the county,” said Dr Longor.

He emphasised that these skills would significantly improve animal health and, by extension, the livelihoods of the local community, as livestock farming is a key economic driver in the region.

Dr Longor also announced the county's commitment to fast-tracking the operationalization of cold chains at the sub-county level to further enhance animal disease surveillance.

Dr Elim Limlim, FCDC Coordinator for the Livestock Sector Strengthening Project II Programme, expressed the FCDC's dedication to supporting the county government in advancing the livestock sector, with a strong focus on animal health improvement.

“The success of the FCDC program in the county will depend on effective reports generated by the department, highlighting the importance of timely reporting and collaboration,” Dr Limlim noted.

The KABS application, built on the Java platform, is freely downloadable for Android-compatible mobile phones. Integrated into Kenya’s domestic and wildlife surveillance systems, the application is supported by web-based account management, form editing, and data monitoring capabilities.