WHO approves first mpox virus diagnostic test for emergency use
The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday (October 4) it had approved the first diagnostic test for the mpox virus, marking an important step in expanding global access to screening tests.
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| More than 30,000 suspected cases of mpox have been reported on the continent in 2024, with the Democratic Republic of Congo most affected. |
| Photo : Xinhua/VNA/CVN |
This approval comes as Africa remains faced with limited screening capacities, which have favored the spread of the virus.
More than 30,000 suspected cases of mpox have been reported on the continent in 2024, with the most affected being the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi and Nigeria.
In the DRC, only 37% of suspected cases have been tested this year, according to the World Health Agency.
The test, called the “Alinity m MPXV test”, will strengthen the possibility of diagnosis in countries facing the outbreak of mpox, where the speed and accuracy of testing are crucial.
The Alinity m MPXV test is a real-time PCR test designed to detect mpox virus DNA from human skin lesion swabs, allowing laboratories and healthcare workers to quickly confirm cases.
“This first diagnostic test for the mpox virus, included on the list of emergency use procedures, represents an important step in increasing the availability of screening in affected countries” said Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products.
Xinhua/VNA/CVN
