By Sewe Ishola

Two patented rapid diagnosis test kits for the Ebola Virus Disease and Lassa Virus have been developed by scientists from the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.

The test kits can detect the virus in human body fluids in 10 minutes.

According to the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Debo Adeyewa noted that the test kits were a long time in the works:

“Following the role of the university in the 2014 diagnosis and confirmation of the first index case of the 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.”

Photo Credit: Twitter @TrendsofNigeria