Comment: Dr Ben Neuman says new 15-minute test for Ebola kit is not a game-changer, but it is another useful tool
Release Date 20 February 2015
Dr Ben Neuman, virologist, University of Reading provides comment on the development of first, approved rapid test for the Ebola virus.
"The new antigen test is not a game-changer, but it is another useful tool in the fight against Ebola. The new test is small, cheap and portable, but is less sensitive than the gold-standard test that is used to diagnose early-stage Ebola in the clinics now.
"The new test could help to quickly confirm outbreaks in remote areas without the need to send samples to a testing clinic and wait for results. The new test isn't about saving the lives of infected people, but it can help in the long run by making it easier and quicker to detect Ebola outbreaks."