The African Union’s health watchdog has announced its endorsement of Morocco’s locally produced mpox diagnostic test, marking a significant milestone in the fight against the outbreak on the continent. This approval comes three months after the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency, underscoring the urgency of addressing the spread of the disease in Africa.
In a statement released on Thursday, the CDC revealed that it had approved what it described as the first real-time PCR test for mpox produced within Africa, hailing it as a key advancement in the continent’s efforts to combat the disease. The test, which can detect the pathogen’s DNA in blood, saliva, or tissue samples, was praised for its speed and reliability, with the CDC emphasizing its efficacy in diagnosing the virus accurately.
“This major milestone is in line with the African Union’s continental effort to strengthen the self-sufficiency of African public health systems, enhancing the continent’s ability to respond more effectively to disease threats,” the statement said. The endorsement of a locally produced diagnostic tool is a significant step toward improving Africa’s preparedness and response to infectious diseases, especially in light of the growing number of mpox cases across the continent.
The announcement follows the approval of another diagnostic test by the World Health Organization (WHO) in late October. The WHO approved the Alinity m MPXV assay, the first diagnostic test specifically for mpox, manufactured by Abbott Molecular Inc. This test, unlike the one developed by Morocco, requires swabs taken from human lesions, further expanding the diagnostic options available for detecting the virus.
Since the start of the year, Africa has recorded over 50,000 cases of mpox, with nearly 1,100 deaths attributed to the disease. Central Africa has been the hardest hit, accounting for over 85 percent of the cases and almost all of the deaths. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is caused by a virus transmitted to humans primarily through contact with infected animals, although it can also spread through human-to-human transmission via close physical contact.
The symptoms of mpox are similar to those of smallpox, including fever, muscle aches, and the appearance of large, boil-like skin lesions, which can lead to severe health complications and even death, especially if left untreated.
The endorsement of Morocco’s mpox test is a critical development in the broader strategy to address the ongoing outbreak in Africa. With more accessible and reliable diagnostic tools, authorities hope to enhance their ability to detect and contain the spread of the disease, preventing further loss of life and strengthening Africa’s public health infrastructure for future crises.
Both the Africa CDC and WHO declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency in mid-August, as the disease spread rapidly in Central and West Africa, straining local health systems and drawing global attention. The use of locally developed diagnostic tests such as Morocco’s will play a vital role in curbing the outbreak by improving the speed and accuracy of diagnoses, while also reducing dependency on external resources.
This development is part of a larger push by African countries and health organizations to bolster local production of medical tools, ensuring greater self-sufficiency and resilience in the face of future health emergencies.
