WHO Approves First Mpox Diagnostic Test for Emergency Use

The new test aims to enhance rapid diagnosis and containment of mpox outbreaks, particularly in Africa.

The World Health Organization has approved the Alinity m MPXV assay, a PCR test by Abbott Molecular, for emergency use.
This test allows for the detection of mpox virus DNA from skin lesion swabs, providing results much faster than previous methods.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, has caused over 800 deaths in Africa this year, with significant outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Nigeria.
Limited testing capacity has hindered containment efforts; only 37% of suspected cases in the DRC have been tested in 2024.
The WHO's Emergency Use Listing procedure is evaluating additional diagnostic tests to further expand testing capabilities globally.