DOH mulls development of dengue rapid test kits

The Department of Health (DOH) is looking at developing rapid testing kits that will be used to detect whether a person had contracted dengue.

DOH Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo said they are planning to test the Dengvaxia vaccine once the kits are developed.

Domingo clarified that this does not mean they would revive the anti-dengue vaccination program using Dengvaxia.

He said the DOH and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have been working with three laboratories in Pennsylvania, Hawaii and Taiwan which are developing the testing kits.

The DOH also met with potential researchers from DOST’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development.

Experts and officials of DOST and DOH decided to try to develop all three possible tests.

Domingo said the three laboratories agreed to share their technology in developing a local rapid testing kit that will fit the country’s setting.

“It seems that we are going to create a consortium. Meaning the three laboratories working at the same time, developing the same tests from the same poll of serum,” he said.

Through this, the Philippines will be able to see which test can be applied to the local setting.

Based on a report of the World Health Organization’s strategic advisory group of experts (SAGE) on immunization, Dengvaxia should be given only after a prospective recipient had underwent pre-screening for dengue. The report was released last Thursday.

The vaccine was said to be harmful if administered to a person who had not contracted dengue.