Kenya has become the first African country to join the Global Dengue Alliance, strengthening efforts to advance research into treatments for the mosquito-borne disease amid a sharp rise in reported infections.
The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) officially joined the international partnership during a meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 27, 2026.
The alliance brings together research institutions from dengue-endemic countries to accelerate the development of safe, effective, affordable and accessible treatments for the disease.
Established in 2022, the partnership includes the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) and research institutions from Brazil, Malaysia, India and Thailand.
KEMRI’s membership is expected to expand the alliance’s scientific reach and create opportunities for African patients to be prioritised in future dengue treatment studies.
“Dengue is a growing public health concern in Africa, but its true burden remains underestimated due to underdiagnosis and underreporting,” said Dr Erick Muok, Acting Director of Research and Development at KEMRI.
“Through the Dengue Alliance, KEMRI will contribute African expertise and evidence to strengthen global efforts to advance dengue research, surveillance, diagnostics, and clinical management,” he added.
The partnership comes amid growing concerns over the spread of dengue in Kenya and other African countries.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Kenya reported nearly 10,000 dengue cases between January and August 2026, compared with 4,300 cases in 2025 and 1,400 in 2024.
All four dengue virus serotypes have been detected in Kenya since the country’s first reported epidemic in 1982.
Although the disease has traditionally been associated with coastal regions, recent transmission has also been reported in northern and western Kenya, including areas bordering Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia.
Health researchers warn that underdiagnosis and underreporting could be masking the true scale of dengue transmission across the continent, potentially affecting early diagnosis, outbreak preparedness and the allocation of resources for disease prevention and control.
Despite advances in vaccines and mosquito control, there is still no specific treatment for dengue, according to the alliance’s announcement.
Dr André Siqueira, Head of the Global Dengue Programme at DNDi, welcomed KEMRI’s entry, saying its expertise would help ensure research addresses the needs of affected populations in Africa.
“We are pleased to welcome KEMRI to the Dengue Alliance. Their expertise in clinical research, diagnostics, surveillance, and outbreak response will help ensure dengue research responds to the needs of affected populations in Africa,” Siqueira said.
He added that dengue was no longer a disease confined to traditionally endemic regions, making international cooperation increasingly important.
Alliance partners are also advancing a potential dengue treatment developed through a collaboration between DNDi and the Serum Institute of India.
The treatment candidate is expected to enter Phase III clinical trials in early 2027 in Brazil, Thailand and Malaysia. The alliance is also supporting research into other treatment approaches, including antiviral medicines and host-directed therapies.
Through the partnership, KEMRI will contribute its expertise in arboviral diseases, clinical research, diagnostics, disease surveillance and climate-related health research to improve understanding of dengue transmission and support the development of new medicines.
The alliance’s expansion marks a significant step in strengthening Africa’s participation in global dengue research as health authorities seek better ways to diagnose, manage and treat the disease.
