SINGAPORE — Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced on September 4 that vaccinations against mpox clade I will be provided to healthcare workers at high risk of exposure and to close contacts of confirmed cases. This measure aims to protect those most vulnerable. At a press conference, Ong explained that immediate contact tracing will follow for close contacts of confirmed clade I cases, who will be quarantined for 21 days—the observed incubation period in Africa. The JYNNEOS vaccine, a live, non-replicating option used in Singapore for mpox and smallpox protection, will be administered for free to these groups.

Singapore’s current JYNNEOS supply is adequate for this strategy, with the Ministry of Health (MOH) monitoring the situation and adjusting plans as necessary based on global mpox developments and vaccine availability. Ong emphasized the importance of adapting strategies to the specific characteristics of each virus, noting that the approach used for Covid-19 should not be duplicated for mpox clade I. While clade I appears more infectious, it is less transmissible compared to respiratory viruses like Influenza or Covid-19, so broad vaccination is not deemed necessary.

Given that mpox is primarily spread through close physical contact, the MOH has instructed all medical practitioners and healthcare facilities to be vigilant in detecting and reporting all mpox cases, particularly suspected clade I infections. Suspected cases will be assessed and treated in hospitals if needed. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is usually mild but can be fatal in rare cases. It causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been 102,977 confirmed cases of mpox across both clades I and II, with 219 deaths reported in 121 countries since monitoring began in 2022, up until July 31, 2024.

Singapore has reported 14 clade II cases but no clade I cases in 2024. On August 14, the WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years. To prevent the importation of mpox, Singapore initiated temperature and visual screening at air and sea checkpoints from August 23. Although there are no direct flights from countries with mpox outbreaks, these measures target inbound travelers and crew from potentially affected areas. Sea checkpoints will also enforce similar screenings.

Health advisories are in place to guide travelers in avoiding infection. Those traveling from or to affected regions are advised to follow these guidelines, and anyone with fever, rash, or symptoms consistent with mpox will be referred for medical evaluation. Despite the emergence of the more dangerous clade Ib strain in the DRC and neighboring countries, experts assure that there is no need for panic buying, including masks, as mpox is not comparable to Covid-19 and is manageable with existing control measures. Travelers and residents from affected regions do not need to quarantine if they show no symptoms.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.