Abbott Laboratories' Alinity m MPXV Test Authorized by WHO for Emergency Use
In a groundbreaking move, the World Health Organization has granted emergency use authorization to Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:) for their Alinity m MPXV diagnostic test. This test, designed to detect mpox virus DNA from human skin lesion swabs, is the first of its kind to receive such approval from the WHO.
"This milestone approval is a crucial step in expanding testing capabilities in countries facing outbreaks of the disease," said Yukiko Nakatani, assistant director-general for access to medicines and health products at the WHO.
Abbott Laboratories has confirmed that they currently have the Alinity m mpox test in inventory and are ready to work with customers to meet their testing needs. The WHO is also evaluating three other mpox diagnostic tests for emergency use and is in talks with other manufacturers to further expand testing availability.
The global public health emergency declared by the WHO in August due to the mpox outbreak has raised concerns worldwide. With two strains of the virus spreading - the clade I variant endemic in parts of Africa and the more transmissible clade Ib strain causing global alarm - countries like Sweden, Thailand, and India have also reported cases.
It is essential for countries to have access to reliable and efficient diagnostic tools like the Alinity m MPXV assay to effectively combat the spread of the mpox virus. This approval marks a significant development in the global health response to the outbreak and highlights the importance of timely and accurate testing in managing public health emergencies.