The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has announced the endorsement of a locally-made mpox test from Morocco.
This significant milestone marks a crucial step in the continent’s efforts to combat the ongoing mpox outbreak.
The CDC highlighted the test’s ability to rapidly detect the virus’s DNA in various bodily fluids.
The endorsement underscores the test’s reliability and efficacy, aligning with the African Union’s goal of strengthening self-sufficiency in public health systems.
The global health community has been actively working to address the mpox outbreak.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently approved the Alinity m MPXV assay, another diagnostic test for mpox.
Since the start of the year, Africa has recorded over 50,000 mpox cases and over 1,100 related deaths, primarily concentrated in Central Africa.
Mpox, a viral disease transmitted through close contact, can lead to severe symptoms including fever, muscle aches, and skin lesions.
Both the Africa CDC and WHO declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency in mid-August.
This endorsement of the locally-made test is a positive development in the ongoing global response to the disease.