Folashade Adebayo
Scientists at the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, has developed and patented two rapid diagnosis test kits for the Ebola Virus Disease and Lassa Virus.
According to the university, the kits are able to detect the virus in human body fluids in 10 minutes.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Debo Adeyewa, said this on Friday during the signing of a memorandum of understanding on infectious disease surveillance and control between the ACEGID and the Lagos State Government.
Following the role of the university in the 2014 diagnosis and confirmation of the first index case of the EVD, Adeyewa said, the school had established a network of pathogens hunters in Nigeria and Africa in general by training scientists in the field of genomics.
He added that the partnership was to strengthen the capacity of the Lagos State Government in infectious disease diagnostics and epidemics preparedness.
He said, “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.’’
Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, said that the need for the state to build up its research capability in disease surveillance, diagnosis, prevention, control and elimination of infectious diseases led to the signing of the MoU.
He added that the long-standing relationship between the Ikorodu General Hospital in Lagos State, and the ACEGID, was a major impetus in the partnership.
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