Russia to send specialists to Uganda to fight Ebola

Russian specialists will be sent to Uganda to conduct an epidemiological investigation into the spread of Ebola in Uganda. This was announced on May 18 by the press service of Rospotrebnadzor.

"In connection with the outbreak of Ebola caused by Bundibugio orthoebolavirus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and cases of this disease in the capital of neighboring Uganda, Rospotrebnadzor, at the request of the Ugandan side, will send a team of specialists to Kampala to conduct an epidemiological investigation," the statement said.

The Ugandan Ministry of Health will also receive logistical support. Tests developed by subordinate scientific organizations and used in Russia for the diagnosis of Ebola will be transferred to African partners. It is emphasized that Rospotrebnadzor has significantly strengthened the scientific, laboratory and human resources potential of Uganda in recent years.

"In 2024, a mobile anti—epidemic laboratory was transferred to the partners, which makes it possible to diagnose dangerous infectious diseases as quickly as possible and was already used in 2025 to stop the last Ebola epidemic," the ministry recalled.

In addition, the Department's scientific organizations have trained more than 80 Ugandan specialists in monitoring infectious agents, disinfection, laboratory diagnostics of infectious diseases, and biosafety.

"The situation is under the control of Rospotrebnadzor," the report says.

On May 15, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda an international emergency. The organization points to significant uncertainty about the actual number of cases and the extent of the spread of the virus.

On May 17, the press service of Rospotrebnadzor noted that there is currently no risk of Ebola spreading in Russia. As part of the federal Sanitary Shield project, enhanced sanitary and quarantine control is in effect at all checkpoints, and an automated Perimeter system is used to assess risks.