Rospotrebnadzor, Russia's consumer rights and human welfare watchdog, provided a batch of Russian mpox tests to Burundi at a meeting with Burundi's Minister of Health, Liduine Baradahana.
Rospotrebnadzor specialists will also visit medical institutions, collect samples from mpox patients, and conduct research at the Russian-Burundian Center for the Study and Prevention of Infections.
"A Rospotrebnadzor delegation arrived in Bujumbura [...] to support African countries in combating mpox. They assessed the country's epidemiological situation and assisted partners in preventing and diagnosing the infection. During a meeting with Burundi's Minister of Health, Liduine Baradahana, a batch of Russian mpox tests was delivered, and a plan for joint work in the coming days was established," the statement said.
Earlier, the WHO announced a declaration of mpox as a global public health emergency followed an outbreak in the DR Congo that spread to neighboring countries. Over 150 cases have been confirmed in Burundi.
In late August, Rospotrebnadzor specialists organized a training course on the prevention of infectious diseases in the Republic of Congo. Moscow is assisting the African nation by supplying screening systems and equipment where they are lacking.