Malaria-detecting gum developed

A new chewing gum which could help to detect malaria is set to be launched.

Developed using money from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the item could eradicate the need for blood tests to be taken to initially detect the disease.

The gum works by using the salvia generated through chewing to test whether malaria molecules are present.

After a few minutes of chewing, the gum is removed a placed on a special strip which shows whether a person is infected with the disease.

The product has been developed by Andrew Fung and researchers at the University of California.

It is thought that the item could be adapted so that it may also be used to test for other diseases.

Funding for the gum was first announced in October, when it was announced that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation would also be donating money to the development of a liquid chocolate malaria medication.

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