Gov. Patrick Announces $1M Grant for Ebola Test

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is announcing a $1 million grant to help develop a faster, more accurate test for diagnosing Ebola.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is announcing a $1 million grant to help develop a faster, more accurate test for diagnosing Ebola.

The grant will support an effort by local life sciences companies, non-profits and academic institutions trying to speed the launch of an Ebola detection tool already in development.

Officials at Tuesday's Statehouse announcement promised the new tool will be cheaper, easier to use and lead to earlier diagnosis than current tests allow.

Richard Sacra, a Massachusetts doctor who was cured of Ebola in the U.S. after working in Liberia, said the testing tool would make an enormous difference for West Africa.

As of December, there have been nearly 18,000 confirmed or suspected cases of Ebola and approximately 6,400 deaths. Ten people have been treated for Ebola in the U.S., including Sacra.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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