WHO-approved 15-minute rapid Ebola test can be game changer

The World Health Organization has approved the first rapid test for Ebola in a potential breakthrough towards ending a deadly epidemic in West Africa.

The test, which returns results in 15 minutes, will provide health workers with a way to quickly identify patients who have been infected with the virus, the Verge reported.

The ReEBOV Antigen rapid test, whic is made by Corgenix, a medical company in the US, is better than current testing, which reportedly requires around four to six hours in a lab, but is often held up for days because of delays while transporting samples.

Corgenix's test, which is said to be able to correctly identify 92 percent of patients with Ebola and 85 percent of patients without it, will allow health workers to keep healthy patients or patients with other illnesses out of clinics that are treating Ebola, preventing the virus from spreading further.

It's not stated how soon the rapid tests will be put to use, but Reuters reports that Corgenix needs another week or two to finish working with the FDA and that it is still determining pricing.