Researchers at a government lab have developed a minimally invasive test for Ebola that could cut the time it takes to diagnose cases of the lethal virus from days and hours to minutes or even seconds, International Business Times has learned. The Department of Energy, which invented the procedure at its Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Knoxville, Tennessee, is now scrambling to find a partner to commercialize the technology.

The development comes amid fears that the Ebola virus may spread in the U.S. after the first cases appeared in Dallas in the past week. On Friday, President Obama named former vice presidential chief of staff Ron Klain as the nation’s first “Ebola czar.”

In a solicitation-for-contractors document, DOE describes its test as a “rapid, portable viral diagnostic for RNA viruses,” including, specifically, Ebola hemorrhagic fever. RNA viruses are made from genetic material comprising ribonucleic acid. In addition to Ebola, the DOE said the test can quickly detect Hanta, Dengue, West Nile and several other exotic viruses.  

DOE posted its solicitation late Wednesday to a federal contracting database. A public records search showed that as of Friday one contractor had expressed interest: Healtheon Inc., of New Orleans, which manufacturers a range of diagnostic tools. Healtheon president Jasmeet Walia did not immediately respond to a request for more information.  

A DOE spokesperson said the agency has been directed to refer all calls related to Ebola to the National Security Council. NSC officials did not immediately return phone calls.