Belarus has developed test system for diagnosis of monkeypox

This was told by Vladimir Gorbunov, the Director of the Republican Research and Practical Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology

“A few years ago, the Republican Research and Practical Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology developed a technology for creating test systems to diagnose various infectious diseases. We are talking about PCR kits for COVID-19, Ebola, and other rare diseases. Now we have received a test system for the laboratory diagnosis of monkeypox. This is a standard PCR technology that includes several steps. First of all, this is the selection of nucleotide sequences that should be specific for a given pathogen. There are databases of these sequences, from where specialists select markers that are later used in the test system.”

The specialist noted that, first, the synthesis of sequences is carried out, then the selection of amplification parameters, the creation of controls and the acquisition of a kit that can be used in various laboratories.

“I think we’ll start doing diagnostics in our centre, it was established for especially dangerous infections, so we have all the possibilities for this. According to WHO criteria, monkeypox belongs to ‘biosafety level 3’ category. Our criteria are more stringent, so we are in the fourth group. That is, we need to work in the most stringent security conditions.”

The diagnostic results will be known within a few hours after the receipt of the biomaterial. The same was with COVID.

“I am sure that this test system will not find wide application because the disease is not characterised by a wide distribution, and it is not expected that the diseased will appear in Belarus in the near future. Let’s hope we don’t get infected. However, our centre was set up to work ahead of the curve. We can develop even what is needed in a single quantity. It makes no sense for a commercial organisation to do this, because it will not receive any dividends, since it will not sell. Meanwhile, we do it and do not expect any profits. We solve the state problem in the field of biosafety.”

The specialist also touched upon the issue of vaccination, “The monkeypox virus is related to the variola virus. Persons who have been vaccinated against it are immune. Those born before the 1980s are lucky in this respect. But I think the Healthcare Ministry will take action if necessary. The vaccine exists, it can be quickly produced.”