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Mpox Molecular Diagnostic Tests (RT-PCR)

On 13 August 2024, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared the ongoing mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS). The World Health Organization (WHO) followed this the next day, which extended the alert internationally as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). After these declarations, many countries have made efforts to mobilize resources to introduce or expand laboratory testing, surveillance, and response activities.

Due to the increasing number of cases and the significant number of countries continuing to report new Mpox infections, WHO and Africa CDC have extended the PHEIC (Public Health Emergency of International Concern) and PHECS (Public Health Emergency of Continental Security), respectively, on the 24th and 25th February 2025 for the next three months.

One of the most pressing challenges remains the scarcity of laboratories, particularly in the most affected countries, creating an urgent need to expand testing capacity through laboratory decentralization. This aligns with the next six-month Mpox continental plan, which focuses on intensification, integration, and legacy.

However, access to appropriate, quality-assured diagnostics remains a challenge. There is limited information on key characteristics of available test kits, including their performance, reliability, and ability to detect relevant Mpox clades. Additionally, the lack of multiplex diagnostic tools capable of distinguishing Mpox from other pathogens with similar clinical presentations further complicates case detection and response efforts.

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