No local close contacts of Singapore's 11 monkeypox cases have tested positive for the virus: MOH

SINGAPORE: No local close contacts of Singapore's 11 monkeypox cases have developed symptoms compatible with the virus or tested positive, said Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary in Parliament on Monday (Aug 1). 

As of Jul 31, Singapore reported a total of 11 monkeypox cases. None of these cases is linked to each other. 

All the cases have “mild symptoms and are clinically stable”, and they were “promptly isolated until non-infectious”, said Dr Puthucheary. 

A total of 45 close contacts were identified through contact tracing. Out of these, 10 were repatriated before the end of their quarantine period. 

All contacts who remained in Singapore are well, with 11 having completed their quarantine. 

“There is therefore no evidence of further spread in the community from the reported cases,” said Dr Puthucheary.

MASS VACCINATION NOT RECOMMENDED

Close contacts were also offered the smallpox vaccine as "post-exposure prophylaxis" - a measure taken to prevent disease. The vaccine is reported to be 85 per cent effective at preventing monkeypox infection. 

To date, 11 close contacts have taken up the smallpox vaccine, revealed Dr Puthucheary. 

“Individuals who are at higher risk of infection due to exposure to confirmed cases or their specimens, including healthcare and laboratory personnel, may be offered the smallpox vaccines to protect them from getting infected. There is an adequate supply of smallpox vaccines,” he added. 

That said, and as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), mass population-wide vaccination with the smallpox vaccine is currently not recommended as a preventive strategy for monkeypox as the benefits do not outweigh the risks, said Dr Puthucheary. 

"MILD AND SELF-LIMITING DISEASE" 

The current monkeypox outbreak generally causes a “mild and self-limiting illness”, according to available international data, Dr Puthucheary added. 

“With globally three deaths out of more than 20,900 cases reported outside of Africa, the case fatality rate currently stands around 0.01 per cent, or approximately one in 10,000," he said.

“As we learn more about the disease, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will continuously review and calibrate our response measures to be commensurate with the public health risk. In line with the WHO’s recommendations, MOH has also provided appropriate advice and precautionary measures to the public, including the at-risk population, to raise awareness and reduce the risk of onward transmission.”

The Health Ministry will continue to closely monitor the monkeypox situation and further calibrate Singapore's preparedness and response measures including vaccination strategies, as needed, added Dr Puthucheary.