In its latest update on monkeypox infections, the Ministry of Health said on Friday (Aug 5) that two additional local cases have been confirmed. This brings Singapore’s total to 15.
One of the new patients is the country’s first local case, a 33-year-old male diagnosed with monkeypox on Tuesday (Aug 2). A 25-year-old male, the youngest patient in Singapore so far, is the other new confirmed case.
Of the 15 cases, ten are local, and 5 are imported, based on MOH’s updated summary below.
On Jul 23, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the monkeypox outbreak represents a global health emergency.
Monkeypox is a viral disease caused by infection of the monkeypox virus. Most patients recover from the infection within two to three weeks. Some symptoms of monkeypox typically include fever, headache, muscle ache, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, lethargy,
and skin lesions and rashes.
“Transmission occurs when a person comes into close contact with the virus through an infected animal, infected person, or contaminated environment… Human-to-human transmission can occur via exposure to respiratory droplets or direct physical contact with the blood, body fluid or lesion material from infected individual or contaminated materials,” MOH says.
Although most monkeypox patients around the globe have been adult males, there have been a few children infected with it as well.
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that he reconvened an emergency committee “in light of the evolving monkeypox outbreak with over 16,000 reported cases from 75 countries & territories.”
This allows the WHO to release funds to combat the spread of infections and for countries to work together toward curbing the spread.
The WHO’s declaration of a “public health emergency of international concern” means that an alarm has been made for a coordinated international response to the spread of disease as well as the possibility for funding to be allocated and international efforts for sharing treatment and vaccines.
While effective treatments and vaccines for monkeypox are already available, these supplies are not enough.
MOH’s latest measures
The ministry announced on Monday (Aug 1) that monkeypox cases assessed by the public hospitals to be clinically stable would be transferred a dedicated Monkeypox Isolation Facility (MIF).
The quarantine period for close contacts has been adjusted to 14 days, with seven days in addition of monitoring for symptoms.
These changes were made in accordance with the latest local and international data, including from the WHO.
“MOH will continue to monitor the monkeypox situation closely and calibrate our preparedness and response measures as needed. Members of the public are encouraged to exercise personal responsibility by monitoring their personal health, maintaining good hygiene, and avoiding high-risk sexual activity, such as having multiple sex partners or casual sex, especially during travel. They should also avoid close contact with individuals known or suspected to be ill with monkeypox infection,” MOH added.
/TISG