Singapore’s National Centre for Infectious Diseases. — TODAY pic
SINGAPORE, May 9 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed today the first imported case of monkeypox infection in Singapore.
The patient, a 38-year-old Nigerian, travelled alone to Singapore on April 28 and tested positive for monkeypox yesterday.
He is currently warded in an isolation ward at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) and his condition is stable, said the MOH.
Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by a virus and is primarily transmitted to humans from animals.
Individuals who are infected would typically experience fever, headache, muscle ache, backache, swollen lymph nodes and skin rash.
In a press statement issued by MOH, NCID executive director Leo Yee Sin said the risk of community spread of monkeypox within Singapore is low. “There is no evidence to date that human-to-human transmission alone can sustain monkeypox infections in the human population,” said Prof Leo.
On average, each infected person transmits the infection to less than one other person. “This is much less infectious than the common flu,” Prof Leo added. “The chain of transmission can also be broken through contact tracing and quarantine of close contacts.”
The disease is usually self-limiting, and most patients recover from monkeypox within two to three weeks. In some cases, the virus can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, sepsis, encephalitis (bain inflammation) and eye infection resulting in loss of vision.
The mortality rates of monkeypox have been reported to be between 1 and 10 per cent during outbreaks, with most death occurring in younger patients.
Contact tracing underway
The MOH said that the patient stayed at a hotel in 21 Lorong 8 Geylang from April 28 and attended a workshop at 3 Church Street on April 29 and 30.
He then developed fever, muscle ache, chills and skin rash and remained in his hotel room most of the time between May 1 and 7. He was conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital by ambulance on May 7 and transferred to the centre on the same day.
“The patient reported that prior to his arrival in Singapore, he had attended a wedding in Nigeria, where he may have consumed bush meat, which could be a source of transmission of monkeypox virus,” said the MOH.
Based on MOH’s investigations and contact tracing, 23 individuals have been identified as close contacts of the patient, including 18 participants and trainers who attended the same workshop, a staff member at the workshop venue and four hotel staff.
Investigation and contact tracing operations are ongoing, said the ministry.
“Close contacts of the patient have been assessed by NCID and offered vaccination, which can prevent the disease or reduce the severity of symptoms. As a precautionary measure, they will be quarantined and monitored for 21 days from their date of exposure to the patient,” said the MOH.
Those who develop symptoms will be treated at NCID and all other contacts who have a low risk of being infected have been put under active surveillance and will be contacted twice daily to monitor their health status.
A workshop participant had left Singapore on May 5 before the patient was seen and diagnosed at the hospital. This workshop participant has reported to MOH that he is well and MOH has informed the public health authority in his home country as a precaution.
What you need to know about monkeypox
Public advisory
The MOH has advised those travelling affected by monkeypox in Central and Western Africa to take precautions, including:
— TODAY