THE Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recently conducted a two-day training on the detection and laboratory diagnosis of monkeypox for laboratory technicians from Jamaica, The Bahamas, Guyana, Suriname, and St Lucia.

The in-person training was held at Jamaica’s National Public Health Laboratory in Kingston.

During the activity, participants received hands-on instruction in molecular detection –real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) – of the virus that causes monkeypox, and review detection and diagnosis in the context of preparedness and response to potential outbreaks. Detecting the virus is the first step in preventing spread, disrupting chains of transmission, and stopping an outbreak.

“Raising awareness and bolstering local capacity to handle global health realities is a PAHO priority. Given the recent outbreak reported in several countries around the world that are not endemic for monkeypox, this training will strengthen national capacities to detect cases of this disease” said Ian Stein, PAHO/WHO representative to Jamaica, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.

During the two-day training, national laboratories in the Caribbean received PCR primers and probes for the testing of the monkeypox virus. PAHO will continue supporting the full implementation of the diagnostic methodology within all countries trained. The training for Caribbean countries was the second in a series of three training modules in the Americas.

Monkeypox is a zoonosis virus, a disease that can be transmitted to humans from animals. The infection is characterised by rash or skin lesions. In the current outbreak, the clinical presentation varies, with some patients showing few lesions on the perineal/perianal area, presenting even before symptoms such as fever, myalgia, and malaise. The sample for laboratory examination is taken from a person with symptoms of a skin lesion, and the result can take one to three days from the time the sample is received in the laboratory.

PAHO provides guidance to countries for the timely identification of all suspected cases, considering clinical and epidemiological evaluation. It also recommends sampling and the application of molecular detection protocols in national reference laboratories.