Kazakhstan develops PCR tests to detect monkeypox

Kazakh scientists started developing PCR test systems to detect monkeypox cases. Today, this infectious disease is actively spreading across the world. This kind of work is not the first experience for the National Scientific Center of Especially Dangerous Infections.  Domestic researchers were among the developers of PCR system against COVID, which is not worse than foreign analogues. According to them, one of the measures as in the case with coronavirus, aimed at minimizing the risk of the monkeypox spread in the country, is the early diagnosis and isolation of infected and contact people. The specialists of the National Center are planning to put the new PCR test system into production in the coming months as soon as it is completely tested.

“Now we are developing probe primers. It is a very time-consuming process of obtaining positive control, that is why it will take a certain period of time and, of course, in order to use this test system it should be tested and registered in the Kazakhstan Medical Device Registration.  In the middle of the third quarter of July–August, we will get our registered final product. Besides, we are planning the production of two test-systems for monkeypox and smallpox virusesm,” said Galina Kovaleva, Deputy General Director of M.Aikimbayev National Scientific Center of Especially Dangerous Infections.

More than 20 countries have reported cases of the infection so far. Kazakhstan is not in the list. Our country officially belongs to the epidemiologically prosperous regions on monkeypox. According to researchers, the greatest danger of this infection is its complications. They are difficult to treat, so the prevention and early diagnosis are of great importance.

 

 

Translation by Zhanna Smagulova

Editing by Saule Mukhamejanova