Cepheid Deploys Rapid Ebola Tests to Combat Bundibugyo Outbreak

The diagnostic tools are already arriving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, marking the start of a broader deployment strategy. By leveraging the existing network of GeneXpert systems—already positioned across Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, and the DRC—the company aims to bypass centralized laboratory delays. Dr. Connie Savor, Chief Medical Officer at Cepheid, noted that decentralized access is critical for fast isolation and effective outbreak control in high-risk border regions.

The Xpert Hemorrhagic Fever panel, which holds FDA 510(k) clearance, identifies the Ebola Bundibugyo strain alongside Marburg, Lassa, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever viruses. A single test provides results in approximately one hour. This initiative relies on close coordination between Cepheid, the U.S. government, and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure the kits reach frontline health facilities. With over a decade of experience in emergency responses, including the 2014 Ebola crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, the company is positioning its established infrastructure to meet the urgent demand for molecular testing.