With fewer than 150 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the United States, the Biden Administration has contracted with five large medical testing laboratories to allow them to test for the disease, Reuters reports.
The confirmed cases, found in 24 states, are part of an outbreak of more than 3,000 cases worldwide. The distribution of the testing protocols will allow the companies to process tests from the US or around the world. The companies will also be able to test for the virus at their brick-and-mortar locations.
“All Americans should be concerned about monkeypox cases. Thankfully we have right now the tools to fight and treat cases in America,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said. “By dramatically expanding the number of testing locations throughout the country, we are making it possible for anyone who needs to be tested to do so.”