Genome Center prepared to sequence any suspected monkeypox samples

The Philippine Genome Center (PGC) is prepared to sequence any suspected monkeypox samples in the country, its top official said on Tuesday.

In a Department of Health (DOH) briefing, PGC Executive Director Dr. Cynthia Saloma said that they have already coordinated with the DOH’s Epidemiology Bureau to generate protocols in the event the monkeypox virus is detected in the Philippines.

“Gusto ko pong ipaalam sa inyo na we are ready [I want you to know that we are ready]. The kits are also ready,” she said.

“Kung merong maipadala sa atin na mga samples [If there are samples given to us], we are ready to do and of course, to trade the results to the DOH Epidemiology Bureau,”Saloma added.

Meanwhile, Health Promotion and Communication Service Director Dr. Beverly Ho explained that it is difficult to determine if one has monkeypox, measles, or chickenpox.

People who show symptoms are thus advised to immediately isolate and consult with a physician through video call.

“Nagkakaroon tayo ng lymphadenopathy o kulani sa isang taong may monkeypox. Ang mga pantal sa isang taong may monkeypox ay nagsisimulang dumami sa bandang bibig at mukha kumapara sa chickenpox na nagsisimula sa katawan,” she said.

“Ang itsura din ng mga pantal o bulutong ng monkeypox ay halos pare-pareho o sabay-sabay sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng katawan kumpara sa chicken pox o tigdas na iba-iba ang stages development ng pantal,” she added.

(People with monkeypox get lymphadenopathy or lymph nodes. Their rashes also start to develop in the mouth and face compared to chickenpox which starts in the body. The appearance of the monkeypox rashes is almost the same or simultaneous in different parts of the body compared to chicken pox or measles which have different stages of rash development.)

Monkeypox is a usually mild viral infection that is endemic in parts of west and central Africa. It spreads chiefly through close contact, and until the recent outbreak has only rarely been seen in other parts of the world. The majority of the recent cases have been reported in Europe.

There are currently more than 200 cases worldwide outside of countries where the virus is endemic.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Saturday said there is no vaccine against monkeypox yet that has been approved or authorized by the Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration. However, they are now discussing with the World Health Organization (WHO) where the country can procure monkeypox antivirals in case of an outbreak in the country.

DOH earlier announced that the country has adopted a "four-door" strategy in intensifying border control to prevent the entry of monkeypox virus into the country.

The department also said it is intensifying screening at the country’s borders and ensuring that surveillance systems are actively monitoring the monkeypox situation. — BM, GMA News