Russia donated monkeypox test kits produced by SSC Vector to Armenia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan , RIA Novosti reported on July 27, citing Rospotrebnadzor.
“Russian test systems were transferred by Rospotrebnadzor to Armenia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. In addition, Rospotrebnadzor specialists are organizing special seminars for colleagues from partner countries on methods for laboratory diagnosis of monkeypox,” the report says.
The decision to help Ashgabat was made following a meeting between the head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova and the Minister of Health of Turkmenistan Nurmuhammet Amannepesov . The meeting was held as part of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov 's visit to Moscow on June 10-11.
On July 12, Rospotrebnadzor announced the discovery of the first case of monkeypox infection in Russia. The outbreak began on May 7, when a tourist who had returned to the UK from Nigeria was diagnosed with the disease.
Meanwhile, Turkmenistan has still not acknowledged the presence of coronavirus cases on its territory and remains the last major country where, according to the authorities, there is no COVID-19. Thus, it can be expected that even if smallpox infections are detected, they will not be made public.
Source: Chronicles of Turkmenistan