On Jul 14. 2022, Aegis Sciences announced it is was authorized to begin testing for mpox using the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) PCR-based Orthopoxvirus DNA assay.

The CDC named Aegis as one of five national commercial labs authorized to perform mpox testing in the U.S. to expand testing capacity and health care provider access as the virus continues to spread.

Drawing on its deep experience serving health care providers and patients with clinically vital testing in response to the opioid epidemic, Aegis tapped its supply-chain, logistics, high-throughput-lab capabilities, and scientific expertise to pivot toward the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus. Since launching COVID-19 testing in April 2020, Aegis has met the needs of communities across the U.S. with best-in-class performance. To date, Aegis has performed over 13 million COVID-19 tests and is collaborating with Walgreens to offer COVID-19 PCR testing at more than 5,200 of its pharmacy locations in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico.

Aegis will be able to perform over 5,000 non-variola Orthopoxvirus tests per week at launch and is working to quickly and significantly increase its capacity to over 10,000 tests per week by the first week in August in order to meet additional demand as necessary. Aegis offers testing at its lab in Nashville and accepts specimens from anywhere in the country.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of mpox, which can include fever, chills, head and body aches, and a rash that appears like a blister, should contact their provider immediately.