The Ebola outbreak in West Africa,
first reported in March 2014, was the deadliest occurrence of the
disease since its discovery in 1976. Out of a reported 28,637 cases,
11,315 people died (4,809 in Liberia; 3,955 in Sierra Leone; 2,536 in
Guinea; 8 in Nigeria, 6 in Mali and 1 in the United States). There
is currently no cure for Ebola, but patients can survive if they are
rehydrated and treated for their symptoms in hospital - if detected on
time.
Scientists at the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) in Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State have developed and patented two rapid diagnosis test kits for the Ebola and Lassa fever viruses. The kits are reportedly able to detect the viruses, if present, in human bodily fluids within 10 minutes.
According to the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Debo Adeyewa:
The rapid diagnosis kits have now been approved for use by the World
Health Organization and the United States Food and Drug Agency. Last
week, the ACEGID signed a memorandum of understanding on infectious
disease surveillance with the Lagos state government.
Redeemer's University regularly works with various academic and clinical research intitutions in Senegal, Sierra Leone and NIgeria. They have also established partnerships with Harvard University, The Broad Institute and Tulane University. The NIH Human Heredity, the Health in Africa program and the World Bank are also collaborators with the university.
Scientists at the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) in Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State have developed and patented two rapid diagnosis test kits for the Ebola and Lassa fever viruses. The kits are reportedly able to detect the viruses, if present, in human bodily fluids within 10 minutes.
Ebola Virus Test Kit (Photo: ACEGID)
"Following the role of the university in the 2014 diagnosis and confirmation of the first index case of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), the school had established a network of pathogens hunters in Nigeria and Africa in general by training scientists in the field of genomics.
Redeemer’s University ACEGID researchers discovered two novel Rhabdoviruses (EKV-1 and EKV-2). The centre also developed and patented two rapid diagnostic test kits for diagnosis of Lassa fever virus or Ebola virus in biological fluids. The World Health Organisation and the United States Food and Drug Agency have approved the Ebola virus RDT for use during epidemics."
Lassa Fever Virus Test Kit (Photo: ACEGID)
Redeemer's University regularly works with various academic and clinical research intitutions in Senegal, Sierra Leone and NIgeria. They have also established partnerships with Harvard University, The Broad Institute and Tulane University. The NIH Human Heredity, the Health in Africa program and the World Bank are also collaborators with the university.
Researchers at the ACEGID Lab (Photo: ACEGID)
Konbini.com
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