Following their request for manufacturers to submit their IVDs for Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) for Emergency Use Listing (EUL) in May, the World Health Organization (WHO) has granted the status first to a rapid, blood-based molecular diagnostic test.

The WHO has called the current outbreak “the largest recorded outbreak of Ebola disease caused by BDBV,” highlighting the need for high-quality diagnostic tests. Currently, 10 laboratories across the affected areas are testing for the virus. 

The new EUL test uncovers BDBV’s genetic material in patient blood samples. More tests are in the process of being reviewed by WHO and their partners. They are also developing a joint validation platform to accelerate the process.