NewsDesk @bactiman63

The Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed one imported case of monkeypox infection.

An abstract representation of the virus by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

The patient is a 42-year-old male British national who works as a flight attendant and was in Singapore between 15 and 17 June 2022 and again on 19 June as he flew in and out of Singapore. He tested positive for monkeypox on 20 June.

He is currently warded in at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), and his condition is stable. Contact tracing is ongoing.

The case had onset of headache on 14 June, and fever on 16 June. These symptoms subsequently resolved, and he then developed skin rashes on 19 June. He sought medical attention via teleconsultation on the night of 19 June, and was conveyed to NCID on 20 June for further assessment.

Contact tracing is ongoing for the affected flights and for the duration of his stay in Singapore. During this period, he had largely remained in his hotel room, except to visit a massage establishment, and eat at three food establishments on 16 June. In general, the risk of transmission to visitors at these locations is low, as data has shown that monkeypox transmits through close physical or prolonged contact. All four locations visited by the case are undergoing cleaning and disinfection.

As of 21 June, 13 close contacts have been identified. All close contacts will be placed on quarantine for 21 days since their last contact with the case. In addition, two low-risk contacts have been placed on phone surveillance. Persons under phone surveillance will receive daily phone calls during the 21-day period to monitor for any onset of symptoms. If suspected of being infected, they will be immediately conveyed to the NCID for further evaluation and isolation to prevent further transmission.