Public Health to detect viruses with tests donated by the US

Santo Domingo.- The Public Health Ministry’s Dr. DefillóNational Laboratory on Friday began real-time testing to detect anddifferentiate the zika, dengue and chikungunya viruses in humans.

The baseline "Trioplex rRT-PCR test kits to diagnose thezika virus infection was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA),said Health official Altagracia Ramona Pereiras.

The kits will detect and differentiate the three viruses inhumans through their genetic material and detect the zika virus in urine and amnioticfluid.

The epidemiology experts said the use of the tests willhelp to quickly detect the diseases. "The viral RNA is usually detectablein the serum during the acute phase of infection, approximately five to sevendays after onset of symptoms.”

United States ambassador James W. Brewster participated inthe launch of the testing by public health authorities.