Global Health Leaders Convene in Nairobi for Landmark ISSAD Conference on Group B Streptococcus

Global Health Leaders Convene in Nairobi for Landmark ISSAD Conference on Group B Streptococcus

Nairobi, Kenya | February 23–25, 2026

By Stella Ranji 

Global health leaders, scientists, and policymakers have gathered in Nairobi this week for the 2026 International Symposium on Streptococcus agalactiae Disease (ISSAD), marking the first time the prestigious conference has been hosted in East Africa.

The three-day meeting, running from February 23–25, brings renewed urgency to the fight against Group B Streptococcus (GBS), a bacterium that remains one of the leading causes of neonatal sepsis, meningitis, postpartum infections, and infant mortality worldwide. Hosting the symposium in East Africa — a region bearing a disproportionate share of the global GBS burden — represents what organizers describe as a pivotal shift toward more inclusive, regionally driven solutions.

A Heavy Global Toll

GBS remains a major global health threat. Each year, an estimated 18–20 million pregnant women — roughly one in five worldwide — carry the bacterium. Globally, GBS is responsible for approximately 400,000 cases of invasive disease in infants annually, including sepsis and meningitis. The infection is linked to an estimated 91,000 infant deaths and 46,200 stillbirths each year.

The burden falls most heavily on low- and middle-income countries, where routine screening during pregnancy, access to preventive antibiotics during childbirth, and advanced neonatal care are often inconsistent or unavailable.

African Leadership at the Forefront

ISSAD 2026 is chaired by Dr. Hellen Barsosio, Clinical Research Scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine through the KEMRI-LSTM Collaboration. Dr. Barsosio also co-leads the Maternal Immunisation Readiness Network in Africa & Asia (MIRNA) and is widely recognized for her expertise in maternal immunisation policy.

Under this year’s theme — From Evidence to Action: Accelerating GBS Prevention in a Changing World — the symposium places African-led research and implementation science at center stage.

“Hosting ISSAD 2026 in Nairobi presents a transformative opportunity to center the voices and experiences of the communities most affected by GBS disease,” Dr. Barsosio said during the opening session. “There will be several researchers from low- and middle-income countries speaking at the conference, which is critical because this is where the GBS burden is heaviest.”

Vaccine Development in Focus

Despite decades of scientific investigation, no licensed vaccine currently exists to prevent GBS. Current prevention strategies rely largely on administering antibiotics during labor to mothers who test positive — an approach that is difficult to implement consistently in resource-limited settings and does not address stillbirths or late-onset disease effectively.

Day one of the conference featured presentations on promising vaccine candidates now in clinical trials, including maternal immunisation strategies designed to protect both mothers and newborns. Researchers also highlighted the need for stronger surveillance systems to generate accurate data, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where underreporting continues to obscure the true scale of the disease.

Kenya as a Regional Health Innovation Hub

Nairobi’s selection as host city reflects Kenya’s growing reputation as a regional health innovation hub, supported by world-class research infrastructure and strong institutional partnerships. The conference has secured backing from KEMRI and the Kenya Ministry of Health, signaling national commitment to advancing maternal and newborn health outcomes.

Beyond scientific dialogue, organizers emphasize that holding ISSAD in East Africa fosters direct engagement with frontline healthcare providers, policymakers, and affected communities — a step many believe is essential to translating research breakthroughs into real-world impact.

As discussions continue over the next two days, participants aim to chart a concrete roadmap toward equitable access to prevention tools, improved surveillance, and accelerated vaccine development. For many in attendance, ISSAD 2026 is more than a scientific meeting — it is a turning point in the global effort to eliminate one of the world’s most persistent and devastating newborn infections.