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Vector Center’s testing system capable of detecting monkeypox in 30 minutes

The system can be characterized as a rapid test metjhod

MOSCOW, May 26. /TASS/. A testing system developed by Russia’s Vector Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology makes it possible to identify monkeypox virus within 30 minutes, the Vector Center told TASS on Thursday.

"The full analysis cycle takes 30 minutes, which means that the system can be characterized as a rapid test metjhod.

According to earlier reports, the Vector Center conducted successful trials of an autonomous testing system for Orthopoxviruses, including monkeypox.

"The testing system make it possible to detect variolous antigens in various biological samples. The testing system is based on the dot immunoassay method. Dark spots in the test zone indicate the presence of variolous antigens in the samples," Vector explained.

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal (rodents, primate) or with material contaminated with the virus. It symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pains, swollen lymph nodes, feeling tired, and rash. The incubation period is around ten days and the symptoms typically last from two to four weeks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the case fatality ratio ranges from one to ten percent, with the majority of deaths occurring in younger age groups.

Monkeypox cases have been confirmed in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. No monkeypox cases have been registered in Russia.