Singapore confirms first local monkeypox case
THE Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed the first local case of monkeypox infection in Singapore.
The patient is a 45 year-old male Malaysian national who resides in Singapore., who tested positive for monkeypox on Wednesday (July 6).
He is currently warded at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) and his condition is stable.
“He is not linked to the imported case announced by MOH on June 21,” said MOH.
MOH added that the man first developed lower abdomen skin lesions on June 30 , and subsequently experienced fatigue and swollen lymph nodes on July 2.
He developed fever and a sore throat on July 4 and sought medical attention where initial tests for other possible medical conditions were done.
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When these tests returned negative, he was subsequently sent to NCID on 6 July, where he was isolated for further assessment.
The ministry added that three close contacts have been identified as of Wednesday, including two housemates and one social contact.
All close contacts will be placed on quarantine for 21 days from their last contact with the case.
Contact tracing is ongoing.
Said MOH: “Monkeypox is typically a self-limiting illness where patients recover within two to four weeks.
“A small percentage of those infected can fall seriously ill or even die.
“Those particularly vulnerable to complications are young children, pregnant women or immunocompromised individuals.”
It said that risk to the general public remains low, given that transmission requires close physical or prolonged contact. THE STRAITS TIMES
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