Molbio Diagnostics deploys decentralised molecular testing solution amid ongoing Ebola outbreak

image credit- freepik

Goa-based Molbio  Diagnostics has developed a real-time PCR test capable of detecting Ebola disease caused by all three outbreak-associated viruses — Ebola virus, Sudan virus, and Bundibugyo virus.

Designed for decentralised settings, the test runs on Molbio’s near-patient portable Truenat platform and delivers results in approximately one hour, enabling faster clinical decision-making and timely public health intervention. 

The company is currently working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and local authorities to validate the test on clinical specimens urgently. Initial deployment has commenced, and test kits have already reached affected regions in Uganda and the DRC.

On 17 May, the WHO declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. As of 21 May, 746 suspected cases and 176 deaths among suspected cases had been reported in the DRC.

On 22 May, Molbio Diagnostics participated in the emergency consultation convened by the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), bringing together key stakeholders to accelerate the research, development, and deployment of decentralised diagnostic solutions to support outbreak response efforts. The consultation highlighted significant challenges arising from the limited availability of appropriate decentralised testing solutions for the disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus.