The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has endorsed Morocco’s locally developed mpox test, calling it a pivotal moment in the continent’s fight against the disease. Announced on Thursday, the approval comes just three months after Africa CDC declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency.

In a statement released on X, the Africa CDC highlighted that the test, which uses real-time PCR technology, is capable of detecting mpox pathogen DNA in blood, saliva, or tissue samples. The test was praised for its “reliability and efficacy,” marking it as the first of its kind to be produced in Africa. This approval is seen as a major advancement in the African Union’s broader initiative to improve the self-sufficiency of African public health systems and better prepare for future health challenges.

Since the start of 2024, over 50,000 cases of mpox have been reported across the continent, with around 1,100 fatalities. Central Africa remains the hardest-hit region, responsible for more than 85% of cases and nearly all of the deaths.

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Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral infection primarily spread from animals to humans but can also be transmitted through close human-to-human contact. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and distinctive skin lesions that resemble boils.

In addition to the endorsement of Morocco’s test, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently approved another diagnostic test, the Alinity m MPXV assay, which detects the virus from swabs taken from lesions.