Abbott developing test for monkeypox

By Leroy Leo

(Reuters) -Abbott Laboratories stated on Thursday it’s actively creating a check for monkeypox, because the illness spreads in numerous international locations.

The corporate will present the check kits to companions of its Pandemic Protection Coalition, a community of scientific and public well being partnerships geared toward figuring out future pandemic threats, an Abbott spokesperson advised Reuters.

“Because the scenario evolves, we’ll take steps to deal with further testing wants,” the spokesperson stated.

Abbott’s announcement comes on a day when the Facilities for Ailments Management and Prevention (CDC) confirmed it has recognized 9 monkeypox instances in seven U.S. states.

Globally, greater than 200 confirmed or suspected infections have been recorded in round 20 international locations the place monkeypox isn’t endemic. Most of those instances have been present in Europe.

Abbott is the second firm to announce its improvement of monkeypox exams following Roche’s announcement on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Leroy Leo in Bengaluru; Enhancing by Maju Samuel)