THE World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the approval of the first-ever diagnostic test for mpox, a key tool against outbreaks.
Over 800 individuals have died across Africa due to mpox.
“The approval for emergency use of the test will be pivotal in expanding diagnostic capacity in countries facing mpox outbreaks, where the need for quick and accurate testing has risen sharply,” said the World Health Organization (WHO) in a statement.
The test, called Alinity m MPXV assay and developed by Abbott Molecular Inc., allows for the detection of the mpox virus from swabs taken from human lesions.
The approval of the test represents a significant milestone in expanding testing availability in affected countries, according to a statement by Yukiko Nakatani, an assistant director-general at WHO.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is caused by a virus transmitted to humans from infected animals but can also be passed from person to person through close physical contact.
It causes fever, muscle pain, large skin lesions resembling boils, and can be fatal.
