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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