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Elevate Magazine
October 6, 2024

WHO Approves First Rapid Diagnostic Test for Mpox

who approves first rapid diagnostic test for mpox

The World Health Organization (WHO) has granted approval for the first diagnostic test for mpox that delivers immediate results, a development that could be crucial in curbing the rising cases of this serious virus.

The new PCR test allows for the identification of mpox DNA extracted from swabs of skin lesions. Previously, samples were required to be sent to laboratories for analysis, resulting in a waiting period of several days for patients and healthcare providers to receive results.

In Africa, challenges such as limited testing capacity and delays in case confirmation have worsened the spread of mpox. According to the WHO, out of more than 30,000 suspected cases reported in Africa this year, only about 40% have been confirmed through testing.

This breakthrough arrives as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has reported the highest number of mpox cases, is set to initiate an mpox vaccination program on Saturday. This year, mpox has so far claimed at least 635 lives in DRC.

In August, the WHO declared the outbreak a global public health emergency for the second time in two years due to increasing cases in DRC and its spread to neighbouring countries like Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda.

Some Western nations have already provided doses of mpox vaccines to aid in fighting the outbreak in Africa, but reports indicate that additional supplies are urgently needed.

Rwanda was the first country in Africa to administer mpox vaccines last month and is expected to receive an additional 5,000 doses on Friday, as reported by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Meanwhile, Nigeria plans to launch a vaccination campaign against mpox next Tuesday, prioritising frontline healthcare workers and close contacts of infected individuals. The DRC will receive 200,000 vaccines donated by the European Commission.

Cases of Mpox in New Zealand

As of September 20, 2024, Health New Zealand confirmed six more mpox cases linked to an outbreak at the Winter Pride Festival, bringing the total number of cases to 11. An additional case not associated with the festival but contracted abroad was also confirmed.

The overall number of mpox cases in New Zealand for 2024 stands at 16. All confirmed cases since July 2022 belong to clade II, totaling 66 cases. Health New Zealand has stated that the risk of widespread mpox transmission remains low.