11-16 July 2004: XV International AIDS Conference, Bangkok, Thailand

USAMRU-K HIV Program, Kericho will be presenting a total of 8 Abstracts,   Listed below. Congratulations! HIV Program for this opportunity.

Kamau, R.; Foglia, G.; Chuma, D.; Ondego, J.; Langat, L.; Birx, D.; Robb, M. Successfully Assessing Community Sexual Behaviours During HIV    Vaccines Cohort Development in Kericho, Kenya                                 

Kimari, E.; Foglia, G.; Kimutai, R.; Langat, L.; Birx, D.; Robb, M. Training & Prevention Program for Health Care Providers to reduce occupational exposure events in Kericho, Kenya

Imbuki, K.; Foglia, G.; Mokaya,J.; Langat, L.; Birx, D.; Robb, M.  The Role of Support Groups in Scientific Research in Western Kenya.

Mburu, J.; Foglia, G.; Kimutai, R.; Langat, L.; Kibaya, R.; Obiero, J. Pande, P.; Waga, F.; Ochieng, F.; Moseti, H.; Mosera, R.; Bett, L.; Rono, E.; Kiptoo, I.; Birx, D.; Robb, M. Prevalence of HIV Infection and CD4 Staging of the HIV Positive Cases in the Kericho Cohort, Kenya  

Adega, S.; Foglia, G.; Langat, L.; Birx, D.; Robb, M. Ethics and Benefits of HIV Clinical Research for Study Participants in Kericho, Kenya                                                                                    

Ngeno, H.; Sawe, FK. Foglia, G.; Langat, L.; Birx, D.; Robb, M.; Cultural Factors that influence Infant Feeding Practices in Kericho, Kenya.

Sawe, FK.; Foglia, G.; Ngeno, H.; Kericho, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV Infection Program.

USAMRU-K takes pride in the following successes;

Melanie Onyango successfully excelled in a highly competitive and rigorous  Association of Clinical Research Professionals Examination. She is now a certified Clinical Research Coordinator.

Raphael Pundo, successfully completed an MSC Program with an overall GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0.Congratulations, Well done Raphael!!

Thumbs-up and pat on the back for flying the USAMRU-K flag high!!!

Outbreak Investigation, South Sudan, May 2003 

On 9 May 03, the World Health Organization (WHO) requested assistance in the investigation of an apparent outbreak of hemorrhagic fever from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Viral Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, a Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) laboratory staffed and funded by the United States Army Medical Research Unit – Kenya (USAMRU-K) GEIS program.  Mr. Clayton Onyango, a USAMRU-K laboratory technologist was detailed to the WHO investigating team, which also included a WHO epidemiologist and security personnel.  On 11 May 03, the team traveled to Ikotos, South Sudan, where cases were assessed at the local hospital.  The team evaluated the local hospital and taught local chiefs and others infection control practices.  On 13 May 03, in the company of Sudanese military forces, the team traveled to Imatong, the outbreak location.  Potential cases were interviewed and 28 samples collected, 14 of which were from acute cases.  The team returned to Kenya on 15 May 03.  Laboratory testing performed by USAMRU-K personnel showed 4 samples to be positive for the presence of Yellow Fever Virus.  Many other cases had laboratory evidence of recent exposure to this virus.  The WHO was informed of these results on 17 May 03.  Results were confirmed by a second reference laboratory.  Early diagnosis allowed WHO to plan and execute its response in a remarkably rapid time, potentially saving many lives.

XXIst. International Congress of Hydatidology: August 16th - 21, 2004

Grand Regency Hotel, Nairobi Kenya. Collaboration and Global Networking among scientists in Echinococcosis.