By Leroy Leo

(Reuters] -Abbott Laboratories announced Thursday that they are actively developing a test to detect monkeypox as the disease continues its spread in other countries.

An Abbott spokesperson said that they will supply the kits to Pandemic Defense Coalition members. The coalition is a consortium of public health and scientific partners that aims to identify future pandemic threats.

According to the spokesperson, “As we see the situation change, we will make steps to address additional testing need.”

Abbott’s announcement came on the heels of confirmations by the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention that nine monkeypox patients were identified in seven U.S. States.

Worldwide, there have been more than 200 suspected or confirmed infections in countries other than those where monkeypox has not become an epidemic. The majority of cases were found in Europe.

Following Roche’s Wednesday announcement, Abbott was the second company that announced its monkeypox testing development.