Abbott Unit Receives First Emergency Designation -- For Its Alinity Mpox Diagnostic Test Kit, From WHO Authorities... Being Shipped To Africa Next Week.

This is needed -- and welcome. And soon there will doubtless be others, approved -- but Abbott in North Chicago, is first out of the gate -- on the Mpox testing kits.

No word yet on how many thousands will be shipped, nor how soon -- but it would be safe to bet that at least 500,000 will be ready and in Africa by Thanksgiving 2024. That's the throughput the company can run at. Here's the latest -- on all this good news:

. . .The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed the first mpox in vitro diagnostic (IVD) under its Emergency Use Listing (EUL) procedure, an important step in improving global access to mpox testing. The approval for emergency use of the Alinity m MPXV assay, manufactured by Abbott Molecular Inc., will be pivotal in expanding diagnostic capacity in countries facing mpox outbreaks, where the need for quick and accurate testing has risen sharply. Early diagnosis of mpox enables timely treatment and care, and control of the virus.

Limited testing capacity and delays in confirming mpox cases persist in Africa, contributing to the continued spread of the virus. In 2024, over 30 000 suspected cases have been reported across the region, with the highest numbers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Nigeria. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, only 37% of suspected cases have been tested this year. . . .

Now you know. Onward, to a wonderful, if busy, Fall weekend (in prep for Emmys season). Be excellent to one another.

नमस्ते