We employ epidemiological and modelling skills to understand the emergence, transmission, spread and control of infectious diseases, mainly of zoonotic origin. The goal of our research is to gain insights from data and provide evidence that guides policies on prevention and control of these infectious diseases to improve public health.
As the study approaches and analytical skills we use are transferrable across infectious disease challenges, our research cuts across multiple host species and pathogens and is a close collaboration between colleagues from the human and animal health sector, and other disciplines including sociologists, economists, and computer/data scientists.
Currently, we are engaged in infectious disease modelling to guide COVID-19 responses in Kenya; research to optimize interventions for elimination of dog-mediated human rabies in East Africa; improvement of surveillance systems and data analytics for infectious diseases; studies on burden, epidemiology and control of select zoonoses (brucellosis, Q-fever, Rift Valley fever and Mers-CoV); and livestock interventions to improve livestock production and health, and ultimately the household economics, nutrition and health of livestock-dependent communities in Kenya and the region.