The High Health Authority ruled on Monday for the reimbursement by Health Insurance of tests, in particular PCR, for the detection of the monkeypox virus, specifying that they should only intervene “in the event of persistent doubt after clinical examination.
The HAS, seized by the Ministry of Health, gave the green light to the reimbursement of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT, a technique which includes PCR tests), “on the basis of the latest epidemiological data available, international recommendations and after hearing the stakeholders,” according to a statement.
Tests for suspected cases
Emphasizing that the diagnosis is based primarily on the examination and questioning of the patient, the HAS specifies that “detection by NAAT test should therefore only be carried out in the event of persistent doubt after clinical examination” to “confirm or not ” the infection.
“The use of this type of test is thus limited to suspected cases and possible cases, as defined by Public Health France and is not necessary in the absence of symptoms”, continues this health authority. The tests “must be specifically adapted to the virus” and have performance “validated by the National Reference Center for Orthopoxviruses”, also warns the HAS.
The highest level of alert
One or two samples are usually enough, also indicates the HAS in its opinion. And she insists on “the need to return the results of these tests as quickly as possible, since they impact in particular the maintenance or lifting of isolation”, explains the press release.
The head of the World Health Organization has decided to trigger the highest level of health alert in an attempt to stem the outbreak of monkeypox, which first affects men who have sex with men, but has vigorously warned on Saturday against any stigmatization of the sick.$