In an interesting coincidence, the CDC has issued an advisory on the use of an Ebola rapid diagnostic test only 3 days before the announcement of a new FDA-approved Ebola vaccine with a "100% effectiveness" rate.

The health advisory

The CDC has issued a health advisory for the use of a newly approved rapid diagnostic test for Ebola.

Healthcare providers interested in testing for Ebola virus in ill returning travelers should isolate the patient and contact their state or local public health authorities. An assessment of epidemiologic risk factors for Ebola and clinical presentation and history should be made as quickly as possible to ensure patient care is not compromised. CDC is available to provide consultation, technical assistance, and confirmatory testing as necessary. (source)

The advisory stresses that this is only a preliminary test and may not be accurate, with these caveats.:

1.The RDT should be used only in circumstances where more sensitive molecular testing is not available.

2. RDTs should be used only in collaboration and consultation with relevant public health authorities to ensure appropriate testing and interpretation of results.

3. All results (positive and negative) from the OraQuick® Ebola Rapid Antigen Test are presumptive and must be verified through rRT-PCR testing that is available at 69 LRN laboratories located in 49 states and at CDC. Testing at LRN laboratories is coordinated through state or local public health authorities.

4. Per existing protocols, specimens that test positive by the Ebola virus rRT-PCR assay at an LRN laboratory must be forwarded to CDC for confirmatory testing.

5. Negative RDT results alone should not be used to rule out Ebola virus infection or to determine the use or type of infection prevention and control precautions when managing a patient with compatible symptoms and epidemiologic risk factors.

6. The OraQuick® Ebola Rapid Antigen Test may result in false-positive results in patients that have elevated rheumatoid factor levels (2). Additionally, potential cross-reactivity of the test with Ebola vaccines or therapeutics is possible and has not been evaluated, and patients who have received vaccines or therapeutics against Ebola virus may have false positive or other confounding results (2). It is important to consult with public health authorities prior to the use of RDTs and to aid in the interpretation of RDT results.

7. Facilities that collect and handle specimens from patients with suspected cases of Ebola should ensure adequate biosafety protocols are in place for the handling and disposal of all potentially infectious materials to avoid risk of inadvertent exposure (3). For healthcare providers collecting specimens, appropriate personal protective equipment should be used (4,5). (source)