Edward Okoth

EDWARD OKOTH ABWORO is Senior Scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). He has worked at ILRI for more than 20 years and has a wide experience in field and laboratory research, team management and veterinary skills. Previously, Edward was involved in a study on evaluation of African swine fever virus (ASFV) prevalence in domestic and wild pigs and characterization of virus genotypes in ASFV sylvatic and domestic transmission cycles.  These analyses were interfaced with in-depth characterization of different pig production systems in Kenya. He is currently a Principal Investigator on projects on epidemiology and control of animal diseases including African swine fever (ASF) and Pestes des Petit Ruminants (PPR) and zoonotic diseases including COVID-19 and MERS-CoV. The research applies epidemiology incorporating molecular and classical (icluding sytem dynamics and spatial modeling and social networks and value chain studies) approaches and vaccines and diagnostics research to underpin surveillance and control. He has been involved in interaction, with development partners, including the FAO-ECTAD regional unit for Eastern Africa and the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) in integrating research outputs into Africa-based initiatives for development and implementation of strategies for the control of ASF, PPR and other Trans-boundary Animal Diseases. Edward currently interact closely with health institutions in public and enviromental health research. 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.