The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the first diagnostic test for mpox that provides immediate results, stating that it could play a crucial role in curbing the rising global cases of this deadly virus.
The new PCR test allows for the detection of mpox DNA from skin lesion swabs.
Currently, samples must be sent to a laboratory for testing, leading to a waiting period of several days for patients and healthcare providers to receive results.
In Africa, limited testing capacity and delays in confirming cases remain significant challenges, exacerbating the spread of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox.
According to the WHO, of the more than 30,000 suspected cases reported in Africa this year, only about 40% have been confirmed through testing.
Yukiko Nakatani, the WHO’s assistant director-general, referred to the new diagnostic test as “a significant milestone.”
“Increasing access to quality-assured medical products is central to our efforts in assisting countries to contain the spread of the virus and protect their people, especially in underserved regions,” she added.
The breakthrough comes as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has reported the highest number of mpox cases, prepares to launch a vaccination program on Saturday.
Mpox, a highly contagious disease, has claimed at least 635 lives in the country this year.
In August, the WHO declared the virus outbreak a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, due to rising cases in the DRC and its spread to neighboring Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda.
While some Western nations have donated doses of mpox vaccines to help combat the outbreak in Africa, reports indicate that more vaccines are urgently needed.
Rwanda, which became the first country in Africa to administer mpox vaccines last month, is set to receive an additional 5,000 doses on Friday, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
In Nigeria, a vaccination campaign against the virus is scheduled to begin next Tuesday, as stated by the Africa CDC.
In the DRC, frontline healthcare workers and close contacts of infected patients will be prioritized for vaccination, with 200,000 doses donated by the European Commission.