Mpox outbreak: WHO approves groundbreaking rapid test amid rising cases

The fight against mpox has reached a pivotal moment as the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the approval of the first diagnostic test that provides instant results. This new PCR test allows immediate detection of mpox DNA from skin lesion swabs, bypassing the lengthy wait times associated with sending samples to laboratories for testing.

Delayed test results and limited diagnostic capacity have been significant challenges in Africa, where mpox has spread rapidly. WHO reports that out of over 30,000 suspected cases on the continent this year, only about 40% have been confirmed due to testing delays.

Yukiko Nakatani, WHO’s assistant director-general, called the approval a major step forward. She emphasized the importance of expanding access to quality medical tools, especially in underserved regions, to curb the virus’s spread.

The new test comes as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), where mpox has caused at least 635 deaths this year, prepares to launch a vaccination campaign.

With 200,000 doses donated by the European Commission, DR Congo will begin vaccinating healthcare workers and close contacts of infected individuals this Saturday.

Declared a global public health emergency by WHO in August, the mpox outbreak has spread beyond DR Congo to neighboring countries like Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda.

In response, Western nations have donated vaccines to Africa, but more doses are urgently needed. Rwanda, which began vaccinations last month, is set to receive an additional 5,000 doses on Friday, while Nigeria will roll out its vaccination campaign next week.

The combination of rapid diagnostics and increasing vaccine availability offers hope for slowing the spread of mpox in Africa.

Source: bbc.com