The World Health Organization (WHO) announced, this Friday (3), that it had approved the first test for the rapid diagnosis of mpoxwhich will serve to improve prevention in the most affected countries, particularly in Africa.
More than 800 people have died on the continent since the beginning of the year because of this viral disease that causes fever, muscle pain and skin lesions, officially detected in 16 countries, according to the African Union.
“The approval of the emergency use” of these tests “will be key when it comes to increasing diagnostic capacity in countries facing mpox outbreaks”, highlighted the UN health agency in a statement.
“Premature diagnosis of mpox enables timely treatment and care, and better control of the virus,” added the WHO.
The device, called the Alinity m MPXV assay, from Abbott Molecular laboratories, consists of a real-time PCR test that allows the detection of the disease from samples taken from patients.
