Monkeypox PCR test now available at RITM

MANILA, Philippines — A monkeypox polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay or test is now available at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), the Department of Health (DOH) announced yesterday.

The RITM has optimized a real-time PCR assay for detecting the monkeypox virus.

“A second PCR assay for differentiating the monkeypox virus clade is being developed,” RITM director Celia Carlos said.

The institute noted that only suspected or probable monkeypox cases would be processed by the RITM.

The DOH is conducting orientation on the clinical approach to skin lesions, including the collection, handling and transport of samples to guide disease reporting teams and Epidemiology and Surveillance Units.

The RITM serves as the primary testing and isolation facility for monkeypox cases.

There has been no recorded case of monkeypox in the Philippines so far.

Monkeypox is a viral infection endemic in parts of west and central Africa. But most of the recent cases have been reported in non-endemic countries in Europe.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, chills, sore throat, malaise, fatigue and rashes.