WHO Approves Mpox Test Amid African Outbreaks

The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the first diagnostic test for mpox, also known as monkeypox, to enhance testing capacity amid outbreaks in Africa. The test, Alinity m MPXV assay by Abbott Molecular Inc., detects the virus using PCR techniques from swab samples of skin lesions, providing a crucial tool for early diagnosis and containment. The approval under the Emergency Use Listing procedure is a significant milestone against the disease, which has caused over 800 deaths in Africa this year and is spreading rapidly, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Nigeria. Limited testing has been a hurdle, with only 37% of suspected cases tested in the DRC. The WHO emphasizes this development's importance for expanding diagnostic capabilities, especially in underserved regions, to control the virus's spread. Additionally, vaccination efforts are being rolled out with priority given to high-risk groups in affected countries.