India develops indegenous RT-PCR testing kit for Mpox

India has developed its own indigenous RT-PCR testing kit for Mpox. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has approved Siemens Healthineer’s IMDX Mpox Detection RT-PCR test for the viral disease. The test delivers result in just 40 minutes, significantly faster than traditional methods which takes 1-2



hours.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Mpox Public Health Emergency of International Concern in view of its prevalence and spread across many parts of Africa. According to WHO, globally since 2022, more than 99 thousand cases and 208 deaths from 116 countries, had been reported due to Mpox.