First 15-minute Ebola test approved by WHO

The first rapid test for Ebola has been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), marking a potential breakthrough towards ending a deadly epidemic in West Africa. On Friday, WHO approved the test developed by US firm Corgenix Medical Corp, saying that although it is less accurate as the standard test, it is simpler to carryout, does not depend on electricity and shows results in less than 15 minutes.   "It's a first rapid test. It's definitely a breakthrough,” said WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic.

Current Ebola tests are required to be carried out in a laboratory so that blood fragments can be analyzed for the deadly virus’ genetic material. The ReEBOV Antigen Rapid Test analyzes blood for a different element of the virus. The process, which usually took 12 to 24 hours to yield results, is carried out by putting a drop of blood on a paper strip and then waiting for a reaction in a test tube.    West African trials have shown that the test correctly identifies around 92 percent of people who have contracted the virus.

"The big fear has been that the market gets flooded with tests of unknown quality, or unknown performance, and with Ebola you need to know what are the limitations. A false negative has enormous implications. So does a false positive," said Robyn Meurant, from the WHO's department of essential medicines and health products. She went on to say that the new test isn’t perfect but for a rapid test it is quite good.

Meanwhile, the Liberian president said the country plans to remove a night curfew and reopen its borders which were closed to contain the spread of Ebola, as its threat recedes. "President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has ordered the lifting of the curfew imposed nationwide. It takes effect beginning Sunday, February 22, 2015," read a presidential statement. The curfew was initially imposed on August 20 and was observed from 9 p.m. (2100 GMT) to 6 a.m. (0600 GMT), but was later changed to start at midnight. In another sign that life is returning to normal, the West African country’s schools began to reopen this week.Liberia was at one point the epicenter of the Ebola epidemic that has so far infected more than 23,250 people and claimed the lives of over 9,000 in West Africa.