The World Health Organization (WHO) has given its go-ahead for in vitro diagnostic testing (IVD) for mpox, or Monkey Pox as it was formerly known. This helps fight the current epidemic, reports AFP.
WHO has given the green light to diagnostic testing for mpox/PHOTO: Shutterstock
“Early diagnosis of mpox allows for timely treatment and care, as well as control of the virus.“, explains the WHO in a statement.
The mpox virus has continued to spread in Africa, with more than 30,000 cases reported in 2024. Most cases were in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi and Nigeria. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, only 37% of suspected cases have been tested this year, the WHO says.
The causes of the spread are the reduced capacity to detect the disease and the delay in the confirmation of mpox cases in Africa.
The WHO-approved test – Alinity mMPXV, produced by Abbott Molecular Laboratories – is a PCR test that detects the DNA of the virus in real time. The test can only be used in laboratories.
“This first mpox diagnostic test under the emergency use procedure represents an important step in expanding the availability of tests in affected countries”said Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Deputy Director-General
Monkey pox, as the name suggests, is a disease transmitted from animals to humans, but also between humans, causing fever, muscle aches and skin rashes.
