WHO approves 15-minute Ebola test

The test has been developed by medical diagnostics firm Corgenix but is considered less accurate than ’gold-standard’ tests.

“The new antigen test is not a game-changer, but it is another useful tool in the fight against Ebola

Virology lecturer Ben Neuman

However, the ReLASV rapid test does not require electricity to operate so can therefore be widely used in areas with poor infrastructure.

Other types of Ebola test can take several days to process, limiting the chance of recovery for many who catch the disease.

However, some experts have said the Corgenix test should not be considered the Holy Grail of Ebola testing.

“The new antigen test is not a game-changer, but it is another useful tool in the fight against Ebola, said Ben Neuman, lecturer in virology at the University of Reading.

“The new test is small, cheap and portable, but is less sensitive than the gold-standard test that is used to diagnose early-stage Ebola in the clinics now,” Neuman said.

“The new test could help to quickly confirm outbreaks in remote areas without the need to send samples to a testing clinic and wait for results. The new test isn’t about saving the lives of infected people, but it can help in the long run by making it easier and quicker to detect Ebola outbreaks.”