Confirmed imported case of monkeypox in Singapore

SINGAPORE, May 9 (Bernama) -- Singapore today has confirmed one imported case of monkeypox infection in the republic.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said the patient is a 38-year-old Nigerian national who arrived in Singapore alone on April 28, 2019, and was tested positive for monkeypox on May 8.

He is currently warded in an isolation ward at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), and his condition is stable, it said in its website.

MOH said the patient reported that prior to his arrival in Singapore, he had attended a wedding in Nigeria, where he may have consumed bush meat, which could be a source of transmission of monkeypox virus.

The Ministry said the patient stayed at a hotel at 21 Lorong 8 Geylang from April 28 and had attended a workshop at 3 Church Street on April 29 and 30.

Based on MOH’s investigation and contact tracing thus far, 23 persons have been identified as close contacts of the patient.

These include 18 participants and trainers who attended the same workshop, one staff at the workshop venue and four hotel staff who had close contact with the patient, it said.

MOH said close contacts of the patient have been assessed by NCID and offered vaccination, which can prevent the disease or reduce the severity of symptoms.

As a precautionary measure, they will be quarantined and monitored for 21 days from their date of exposure to the patient, said the Ministry.

-- BERNAMA