As the number of Monkeypox cases increases, BD collaborates with CerTest in Spain to provide diagnostic services

As the number of monkeypox cases increases around the world, BD is collaborating with CerTest, a Spanish test manufacturer, to develop a mass-produced molecular diagnostic for monkeypox.

CerTest's CE-marked Viasure test and reagents will be used on the BD MAX automated PCR system, which can process 24 samples in three hours.

This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised the disease's alert level after the number of newly confirmed cases worldwide surpassed 1,000. The agency advises international travellers to take extra precautions, but for the general public the risk is low.

According to the CDC, monkeypox has been diagnosed in at least 29 countries, including at least 300 infections in the United Kingdom and nearly 200 in Spain. As of June 7, the United States had 35 infections spread across 15 states.