19:00
First case of new mpox variant identified in Germany
Germany has detected its first case of the new mpox variant, clade 1b, in a 33-year-old man.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved Abbott Laboratories' mpox diagnostic test for emergency use, making it the first to receive such authorization in the push to improve testing in outbreak regions.
The Alinity m MPXV assay, a real-time PCR test, identifies mpox virus DNA from skin lesion swabs and is designed for trained laboratory staff.
Abbott currently has the test available and is prepared to address customer requirements. The WHO is also reviewing three more mpox diagnostic tests and working with manufacturers to broaden access. The EUL procedure helps fast-track unlicensed vaccines, tests, and treatments during health emergencies.
"This first mpox diagnostic test listed under the Emergency Use Listing (EUL) procedure represents a significant milestone in expanding testing availability in affected countries," said Yukiko Nakatani, WHO's assistant director-general.
WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that spread to Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda. Two strains, clade I and the more transmissible clade Ib, have raised global concern, with confirmed cases of clade Ib in Sweden, Thailand, and India.
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11:14
WHO: Over 35,000 Suspected Mpox Cases Reported in Africa in 2024
World Health Organization has reported over 35,000 suspected cases of mpox across Africa in 2024, with nearly 1,000 deaths potentially linked to the disease
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Africa Faces Mpox Crisis: 30,000 Suspected Cases Reach Record Levels
The World Health Organization reports 30,000 suspected mpox cases in Africa this year, with over 800 deaths, mostly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Bank is allocating $128.89 million to support ten African countries in battling the outbreak.
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