**Russia Continues Ebola Response Efforts in Uganda**
Russia is maintaining its support in Uganda following the recent Ebola outbreak, with specialists from the country's health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, actively working on the ground. Anna Popova, the head of Rospotrebnadzor, provided updates on the situation during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.
Popova reported that Russian experts were deployed to Uganda shortly after the outbreak began in May 2023. Their efforts have been instrumental in assisting local authorities to control the spread of the virus. “Efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in Uganda are still underway right now,” she stated, highlighting the ongoing commitment to public health in the region.
The outbreak in Uganda was officially declared over on August 27, 2023, after the country recorded no new infections for a period of 42 days. During the outbreak, Uganda reported 20 confirmed cases and two fatalities. The majority of the infections, 15 in total, were imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), while the remaining five cases were linked to contacts and health workers associated with the imported cases.
Popova emphasized the effectiveness of the diagnostic tests provided by Russia, which were introduced in the early days of the outbreak. These tests have since undergone refinement on-site and have successfully passed the initial stage of the World Health Organization’s qualification process.
In addition to diagnostic support, Russia has extended broader assistance to Uganda in combating Ebola and other infectious diseases. The Russian government sent epidemiologists to Uganda in May to aid in the outbreak investigation and supplied essential diagnostic tests. Furthermore, a mobile anti-epidemic laboratory was donated to Uganda in 2024, enhancing the country's capabilities in managing health crises.
Training has also been a significant component of Russia's support. Over 80 Ugandan specialists have received training at Rospotrebnadzor institutions in various fields, including pathogen monitoring, laboratory diagnostics, and biosafety. Recently, a group of ten specialists from the Ugandan Health Ministry and research institutions commenced a two-week training course in Moscow, focusing on disinfection, pest control, and field surveillance techniques.
While Uganda has successfully controlled its Ebola outbreak, the situation remains dire in neighboring DR Congo, where the number of confirmed Ebola cases continues to rise. Current government statistics indicate that DR Congo has reported 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 deaths, resulting in a case fatality rate of 48.4%. Of those infected, 1,726 patients have recovered, while 905 individuals are still in isolation or receiving hospital care.
The outbreak in DR Congo has spread across 62 health zones in seven provinces, with Ituri province being the most severely affected. Other provinces experiencing cases include North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Bas-Uele, Tshopo, and Sud-Ubangi.
As the situation evolves, both Russia and Uganda remain vigilant in their efforts to prevent further outbreaks and manage existing cases. The collaboration between the two nations underscores the importance of international support in addressing global health challenges, particularly in regions vulnerable to infectious diseases.