World's first 15-minute Ebola test approved

The World Health Organization has assessed and cleared an Ebola test that shows results in as little as 15 minutes.

Although previous tests are more accurate, they can take as long as 24 hours to show results, wasting valuable time to contain, treat and isolate an Ebola victim.

See also: Eyewitness to Hell: Life in Ebola-Ravaged Liberia

The ReEBOV Antigen Rapid Test Kit, made by U.S. medical firm Corgenix, is unique in that it is "based on detection of the Ebola protein rather than nucleic acid," WHO said

What's more, it's easy to perform and doesn't require electricity, making it easier to use in community care clinics and mobile healthcare facilities throughout the western African countries at the heart of the current Ebola outbreak. Previously, Ebola has been tested in labs using commercial or in-house tests, which "require well-established laboratories and fully trained personnel." Read more...

More about Health, Medicine, Africa, Us World, and Health Fitness