Photo: ID 331427910 © Chalanova79 | Dreamstime.com / Image: Patient with Monkey Pox.
Singapore will take screening measures at sea checkpoints for crew and passengers arriving on ships from mpox affected areas.
Similar measures from August 23 will also be implemented for temperature and visual screening at Changi and Seletar airports for inbound travellers and crew arriving on flights from places which may be exposed to the risk of mpox outbreaks.
The Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Transport and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority will be putting in place precautionary measures to enhance its surveillance capabilities against mpox at its borders.
Health advisories have been put in place at air checkpoints, so that travellers will take the necessary personal precautions to avoid being infected.
“Travellers who have fever, rash and/or symptoms compatible with mpox will be referred for medical assessment,” the MOH said.
As of 22 August 2024, 13 confirmed cases of mpox have been detected this year, all of which are of the less severe Clade II infections. There have been no mpox Clade I cases detected in Singapore to date.
MOH reported that the outbreak remains generally confined to Africa, with two cases of the more severe mpox Clade I reported in Sweden and Thailand. There are currently no reports of local spread in these two countries.
All travellers are required to report mpox-related symptoms (e.g. fever or rash) and travel history through the SG Arrival Card. Medical practitioners are to notify MOH of all suspect mpox cases.
Suspect cases will be isolated in hospital, so that they can be further assessed and tested for mpox.
Contact tracing is conducted for all confirmed cases of mpox to limit community transmission.
“All identified contacts will be informed to monitor their health for symptoms of mpox and to seek medical advice if unwell. Close contacts will also be offered vaccination to reduce the risk of mpox infection,” in accordance with the MOH.
The MOH said the current vaccination approach focuses on persons at high risk of infection, such as close contacts of mpox cases.
“MOH is monitoring the situation closely and will adjust our vaccination strategy accordingly. For now, population-wide mpox vaccination is not recommended, given the current disease epidemiology,” the ministry added.
