Edward Abworo

EDWARD OKOTH ABWORO is an Senior Scientist - Epidemiologist within the Health Program at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). He has worked at ILRI for more than 25 years as a veterinary practitioner, associate researcher and scientist and has wide experience in field and laboratory research and team management. Dr Abworo is responsible for planning and implementation of research for Development projects in Health aimed at supporting surveillance and control of diseases of both animals and for public health. He studies epidemiology of transboundary diseases including African Swine Fever (ASF), Peste des Petit Ruminants (PPR) and SARS-CoV 2 using classical, spatial, molecular and socio-epidemiology approaches. The studies provide evidence for understanding pathogen evolution and spatial distribution that underpin disease spread, identification of variants of concern and development of vaccines and diagnostics for control of the diseases. His studies have also led to the development of technologies, innovations and tool boxes for disease surveillance and control, enviromental surveillance and public health and formulation of national and regional control strategies. His research characterised tolerant and resistant pig species and led to the identification of mechanisms of tolerance, information of which is important for molecular breeding for resistance against African swine fever. He supports development partners, including the FAO-ECTAD regional units for Africa, World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) in integrating research into Africa-centric initiatives for  the control of Trans-boundary Animal Diseases and zoonoses. He holds a Bachelors of Veterinary Medicine degree,  a Master’s degree in Veterinary Epidemiology and Animal Health Economics and a PhD in Veterinary Epidemiology, from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. Edward is Kenyan.