Scientists in New Zealand have developed a portable DNA testing device which they say could help curtail the spread of Ebola.
One of the biggest problems in trying to contain the deadly virus is diagnosing the infection early, particularly in poor and remote places.
The device, known as Freedom4, can be used in the field to identify the DNA sequences of diseases such as Ebola.
Dr Jo-Ann Stanton and her research team at the University of Otago spent six years developing the technology.
She said the battery-operated device can provide fast diagnosis, allowing for better treatment and quick quarantining of Ebola patients.
“Pretty much we can have a test result in an hour and a half – that’s from a blood sample,” Dr Stanton said.
“We can be out in the field, detect someone really early that they’ve been infected with Ebola and get them to the right treatment much more quickly.
“That’s going to have a real impact on whether they survive or not.”
Dr Stanton will spend the next week in Washington, where a laboratory will evaluate the effectiveness of the device – the first step towards getting approval from the US Food and Drug Administration.
The US government has said it will fast-track approval for any technology that could alleviate the Ebola crisis.
Dr Stanton said the device could have the biggest impact in West Africa, where thousands of people have died from the disease.
“I think at the moment the biggest risk is to let things keep unfolding as they are in West Africa. That’s where we could have the biggest impact – in a place where infrastructure is not very good,” she said.
“We’ve got to the point where we have a fully functional device which does everything we wish it to do. I am very confident that the device can be used in the way we are envisaging.
“It really is a first screen, a first line of defence, and I think we can make a real difference.”