WHO approves Ebola rapid test kit

 

The World Health Organisation has approved the first rapid Ebola test that can give results in 15 minutes.

Currently it takes upto 24 hours to confirm the presence of the deadly disease which has already killed 9,300 people across west Africa.

Althoug the new test is less accurate that traditional tests, it takes just 15 minutes to give a result which means treatment can begin sooner and patients could be isolated more quickly to control the spread of the virus.

The test works without electricity so it can be used in remote regions.

The ReEBOV Antigen Rapid Test, developed by US company Corgenix, searches the blood for a different part of the virus to the usual test, and so is faster.

Trials in West Africa suggest it correctly identifies about 92 per cent of people who have Ebola.

The World Health Organization said: “While less accurate, the antigen test is rapid, easy to perform and does not require electricity.

“It can therefore be used at lower health care facilities or in mobile units for patients in remote settings.”

However the WHO said that the results should be confirmed by more conventional testing as soon as possible.

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