The Negros provincial government has coordinated with the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for the training of its molecular laboratory personnel on monkeypox detection.

Those who will undergo training are the medical technologists assigned at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital Molecular Laboratory in Silay City, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said on Thursday.

“We have already made a representation with the RITM. The soonest time slots will be available, they will be dispatched for training,” he added.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson approved the deployment of personnel for training based on the recommendation of the Provincial Infectious Disease Action and Control Council.

The provincial government is still waiting for the guidelines on monkeypox testing protocols from the Department of Health.

“So that once the protocols are out, our laboratory and personnel are ready. We just have to be ready,” Diaz said.

With RT-PCR machines in place, Diaz said the province just needs to capacitate its employees on how to handle the samples taken from possible monkeypox patients.

According to the RITM, similar to the coronavirus disease 2019 test, the assay for the detection of monkeypox virus is ran on the RT-PCR machines.

So far, the DOH has reported a lone monkeypox case in the country, a 31-year-old Filipino who arrived from overseas on July 19.

The monkeypox virus is transmitted through lesions, body fluids, and respiratory droplets, according to the World Health Organization.

With primary transmission through skin-to-skin and intimate contact, health authorities emphasize the importance of hand washing and avoiding contact with suspected cases. (PNA)