Desitdown News (Morocco produces Africa’s first mpox tests) #desitdown #news

In a groundbreaking move for Africa, Moldiag, a Moroccan biotech startup, has begun filling orders for mpox tests, becoming the first African company to manufacture and distribute diagnostic tools for the virus. Moldiag, founded out of Morocco’s Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation and Research (MASCIR), began developing mpox tests after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the virus a global emergency in August. This move comes amid increasing concerns over the spread of mpox, particularly in central and East Africa. Following criticism for its slow response to providing vaccines during the early stages of the outbreak, the WHO approved an initial vaccine in September and announced a plan to distribute vaccines, tests, and treatments to vulnerable populations in the world’s poorest countries. However, in regions near the epicenter, such as eastern Congo’s South Kivu province, doctors still rely on experience and basic observations to diag