World Health Organization okays first Mpox diagnostic test

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations health agency said on Friday it had approved the use of the first diagnostic test for Mpox, a key resource in countries battling the outbreak.

Mpox has killed more than 800 people across Africa, where the disease has been officially detected in 16 countries, according to the African Union Center for Disease Control.

The World Health Organization said in a statement that the test’s “approval for emergency use” would be “crucial in increasing diagnostic capacity in countries experiencing Mpox outbreaks, where the need for rapid and accurate testing is increasing rapidly.”

The test, called the Alinity m MPXV assay and developed by Abbott Molecular Inc. has developed, enabling the detection of MPoxvirus from swabs taken from human wounds. “By detecting DNA from samples of pustular or vesicular rash, laboratories and health workers can efficiently and effectively confirm suspected cases of MPox,” the WHO said.

“Limited testing capacity and delays in confirming Mpox cases persist in Africa, contributing to the continued spread of the virus”, it said. The approval of the test represents an important milestone in increasing the availability of testing in affected countries, the statement quoted WHO Assistant Director-General Yukiko Nakatani as saying.

“Increasing access to quality assured medical products is central to our efforts to help countries control the spread of the virus and protect their people, especially in vulnerable areas,” Nakatani said.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is caused by a virus transmitted from infected animals to humans but can also be transmitted from person to person through close physical contact. It causes sores such as fever, muscle aches, and large skin blisters, and it can be fatal.