At the heart of the fight against the current health crisis, a major breakthrough was recently announced by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Indeed, Africa CDC has officially approved Morocco’s locally developed mpox test, marking a significant milestone in Africa’s response to the ongoing outbreak.
This new real-time PCR test is capable of detecting mpox pathogen DNA in blood, saliva, and tissue samples. It is considered a “major milestone” for public health systems in Africa, strengthening the continent’s capacity to address emerging health threats.
The approval announced by Africa CDC, relayed on social media, highlights the reliability and effectiveness of the mpox test developed in Morocco. This recognition is part of the African Union’s broader goal of strengthening public health self-sufficiency, aimed at effectively preparing for and responding to disease threats.
This development comes in the context of Africa CDC declaring the MPOX outbreak a public health emergency three months ago. MPOX, formerly known as monkeypox, spreads from infected animals to humans, as well as through close physical contact, causing symptoms such as fever, body aches, and distinctive skin lesions.
In parallel with Africa CDC’s efforts, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently approved the Alinity m MPXV diagnostic test, the first MPOX diagnostic test developed by Abbott Molecular Inc. This diagnostic tool detects MPOX from swab samples, providing a complementary solution for monitoring and controlling the virus.
MPOX has resulted in more than 50,000 reported cases and approximately 1,100 deaths in Africa this year, with the Central Africa region being the most affected in terms of cases and mortality.
This major advance in public health in Africa demonstrates the critical importance of local innovation and international cooperation to effectively combat emerging diseases. It also highlights the need to invest in research and development of new diagnostic tools to strengthen health systems and protect populations against health threats.