World Health Organization declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, last month. As of 21 May, 746 suspected cases and 176 deaths among suspected cases had been reported in the DRC. Across both countries, 85 confirmed cases, including 2 in Uganda, and 10 deaths among confirmed cases, including 1 in Uganda, had been reported.
The current outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo virus. Along with the Ebola virus and Sudan virus, it is one of three viruses known to cause large outbreaks of Ebola disease.
On 22nd May, Molbio Diagnostics participated in the emergency consultation convened by the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), bringing together key stakeholders to accelerate the research, development, and deployment of decentralised diagnostic solutions to support outbreak response efforts. The consultation highlighted significant challenges arising from the limited availability of appropriate decentralised testing solutions for the disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
Molbio has developed a real-time PCR test capable of detecting Ebola disease caused by all three outbreak-associated viruses — Ebola virus, Sudan virus, and Bundibugyo virus. Designed for decentralised settings, the test runs on Molbio’s near-patient portable Truenat platform and delivers results in approximately one hour, enabling faster clinical decision-making and timely public health intervention.
Molbio is currently working closely with the World Health Organization, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and local authorities to validate the test on clinical specimens urgently. Initial deployment has commenced, and test kits have already reached affected regions in Uganda and the DRC.
Molbio remains committed to supporting public health authorities and global health agencies in strengthening outbreak preparedness and response through accessible molecular diagnostics, stated a press release.
