The African Union’s health agency announced on Thursday its endorsement of a Moroccan-developed mpox test, marking a significant step in the continent's efforts to address the ongoing outbreak.

This approval comes three months after the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency.

The newly endorsed test is the first locally produced real-time PCR diagnostic tool for mpox, capable of detecting pathogen DNA in blood, saliva, or tissue. The Africa CDC highlighted the test's reliability and efficacy, emphasizing its role in strengthening Africa's public health systems.

"This endorsement aligns with the African Union's goal of enhancing self-sufficiency in health responses across the continent," officials stated.

The announcement follows last month’s approval by the World Health Organization of the Alinity m MPXV assay, which detects the mpox virus from human lesion swabs.

Since the beginning of 2024, Africa has reported over 50,000 mpox cases and approximately 1,100 deaths, with Central Africa accounting for more than 85% of these cases.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is transmitted through infected animals and close human contact, causing symptoms such as fever and large boil-like lesions.