Profile: The Kenya Multi-Site Serosurveillance (KEMIS) collaboration

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease Surveillance

Background:

• The Kenya Multi Site Serosurveillance (KEMIS) collaboration was initiated in December 2021.
• It builds upon existing SARS-CoV-2 research conducted in Kenya during 2020-2021.
• The program aims to establish a nationally representative, population-based serological surveillance system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement an integrated, population-based serological surveillance program for key infectious diseases in Kenya.
• To describe the establishment, governance, and management of the KEMIS collaboration.
• To reflect on the opportunities, challenges, lessons learned, and future directions of the KEMIS program.

Main Methods:

• Utilized existing Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) sites for data collection.
• Established a collaborative framework for multi-site serosurveillance.
• Described the governance and management structures implemented for the KEMIS collaboration.

Main Results:

• The KEMIS collaboration successfully initiated a program for serological surveillance.
• Key activities, governance, and management structures were established.
• The profile paper details the foundational aspects of the KEMIS program.

Conclusions:

• The KEMIS collaboration provides a robust framework for ongoing infectious disease surveillance in Kenya.
• The program's design addresses challenges and leverages opportunities for future research.
• Lessons learned will inform the sustainability and expansion of national serosurveillance efforts.