MOH: No Monkeypox Case in S’pore Yet But Doctors Should be Vigilant to Detect Cases

By
Boon Hun
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Unless you’ve been hanging out under a rambutan tree in Mandai, you’re probably aware of the Monkeypox cases spreading in Europe and the US.

Now, if you’re one of the rare few who’s confused by why we changed the animal from chickenpox to monkeypox, here’s a video that’ll get you up to speed:

Now, monkeypox is spreading in the US and Europe; but if you’re a “concerned citizen”, you’ll be wondering if it’ll spread to Singapore.

After all, no one thought COVID-19 could shut down our love for pasar malams, but it did.

Well, for you concerned citizens out there, this article is dedicated to you;

MOH: No Monkeypox Case in S’pore Yet But Doctors Should be Vigilant to Detect Cases

The good news is: there are no monkeypox cases in Singapore…yet.

On 21 May 2022, the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed that, as of Friday 20 May 2022, there are no new monkeypox cases in Singapore.

Nonetheless, the ministry is urging medical practitioners in Singapore to keep a lookout for fresh cases.

Meanwhile, MOH will keep an eye on the developing situation.

A Rare Disease Primarily Caused By Animal-To-Human Transmission

Here’s some even better news: monkeypox is caused by a rare virus that is transmitted from animals to humans.

While human-to-human transmission is possible, it’s very limited, MOH says.

“Transmission typically occurs from close contact with the respiratory tract secretions or skin lesions of an infected person, or objects recently contaminated by an infected person’s fluids or lesions.

“Generally, sustained human-to-human transmission has been rare thus far. But we will need to study this again for the current outbreak.”

Symptoms

According to MOH, these are the symptoms of monkeypox:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle ache
  • Backache
  • Swollen Lymph nodes

Infectees may also get a skin rash which appears one to five days after the first symptoms.

The rash might resemble blisters caused by chickenpox.

Individuals will usually recover from their symptoms in two to four weeks. It was added, however, that some individuals may suffer severe illness or death.

Tips For Travellers

Now, if you’re travelling anytime soon (since it’s the June holidays), here are a few helpful tips for you:

  • Maintain high personal hygiene
  • Avoid skin contact with lesions of infected living or dead persons and animals
  • Avoid eating bushmeat
  • Don’t get near wild animals

For travellers who are returning to Singapore, especially from areas affected by monkeypox, they are advised to monitor their own health.

“Returning travellers, especially from areas affected by monkeypox, should seek immediate medical attention if they develop any disease symptoms within three weeks of their return. They should also inform their doctor of their recent travel history.”

Don’t Have To Panic

Now, for those who are afraid of monkeypox becoming a second pandemic, don’t worry.

According to infectious diseases experts here in Singapore, there is no cause for alarm yet.

While there will definitely be monkeypox cases popping up in Singapore, it is believed that monkeypox would not be able to sustain itself in a “well-resourced country” like Singapore.

There is, however, the risk of importation and “limited” local spread.

They are also confident that Singapore’s contact-tracing system, which was fine-tuned in our battle against COVID-19, will be more than able to lock down any monkeypox cases.

First Monkeypox Case Back in 2019

About three years ago in May 2022, Singapore received its first case of monkeypox.

The infected is a Nigerian man who arrived here in Singapore for a workshop.

He was moved to an isolation ward after testing positive and 22 out of 23 identified close contacts were placed under quarantine.

You can read more about that incident here.

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Feature Image: Alessandro Mancuso C / Shutterstock.com

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Boon Hun
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