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Airport Checks Begin as 13 Mpox Cases Hit Singapore
Singapore starts checking travellers at airports for mpox as 13 cases are confirmed in the country.
D
Daily.SG Newsroom
Archive · 23 Aug 2024
KEY POINTS
- ●Singapore confirmed 13 mpox cases as of 22 August 2024, all the less severe Clade II variant with no local transmission.
- ●Changi and Seletar airports will conduct temperature and visual screening of inbound travellers and crew from high-risk areas starting 23 August 2024.
- ●Vaccination is limited to high-risk contacts only, not the general population.
- ●Travellers must report symptoms on the SG Arrival Card, and doctors must report suspected cases to health authorities.
- ●Health advisories at airports guide travellers on protective steps: hygiene, avoiding close contact with sick people, and avoiding risky activities.
IN SIMPLE TERMS
Singapore has found 13 people with mpox, a virus that spreads through close contact and causes fever and rash. Starting 23 August 2024, airports will screen incoming travellers for signs of the illness. The country is also giving people advice on how to protect themselves.
WHY IT MATTERS
Mpox spread through global travel poses a real risk to Singapore; early screening at airports helps catch cases before they enter the community.
All confirmed cases so far are the less severe Clade II variant, but authorities remain vigilant against the more serious Clade I variant detected elsewhere.
New airport screening measures may affect traveller experience but are designed to balance disease prevention with maintaining travel flow.
Individual awareness and preventive behaviour are key; travellers must understand symptoms and report illness to avoid spreading the virus.
WHERE DO YOU STAND?
Should Singapore expand mpox vaccination beyond high-risk contacts to offer it more widely to the general public?
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- Singapore implements new mpox prevention measures at airports.
- 13 confirmed mpox cases in Singapore, all Clade II variant.
- Health advisories issued for travellers to protect against this infectious disease.
Singapore takes action to prevent mpox spread as global cases rise.
Key Terms Simplified
- Mpox is a viral illness causing fever, body aches, and a rash, spread through close contact. It is formerly known as monkeypox
- Clade is a group of organisms that share common features.
- Clade I Variant is more serious.
- Clade II Variant is less serious.
New Measures at Singapore Airports
In a press release by MOH, Singapore is taking steps to prevent mpox from spreading.
Starting 23 August 2024, Changi and Seletar airports will check travellers for fever and visible signs of illness.
This new rule applies to people coming from places that might have this disease outbreaks.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is working with other government agencies to keep Singapore safe.
According to MOH, “We will put in place temperature and visual screening at Changi and Seletar airports for inbound travellers and crew arriving on flights from places which may be exposed to the risk of mpox outbreaks.”
Current Mpox Situation in Singapore
As of 22 August 2024, Singapore has 13 confirmed mpox cases.
All these cases are of the Clade II type, which is less severe.
No cases have spread locally in Singapore.
However, Sweden and Thailand have reported Clade I cases.
| Country | Number of Clade I Cases |
|---|---|
| Singapore | 0 |
| Sweden | 1 |
| Thailand | 1 |
Health Advisories for Travellers
MOH has issued health advisories at air checkpoints.
These advisories tell travellers how to protect themselves from mpox.
Travellers must report any related symptoms on the SG Arrival Card.
Doctors must tell MOH if they suspect a patient has the virus.
MOH stated, “Suspect cases will be isolated in hospital, so that they can be further assessed and tested for mpox.”
Steps to Protect Yourself
- Keep your hands and body clean
- Don’t touch people or animals with skin sores
- Avoid risky activities like casual sex
- Don’t touch wild animals or eat bush meat
- See a doctor if you feel sick within 21 days of returning from affected areas
Vaccination Strategy
Singapore is not giving mpox vaccines to everyone.
Only high-risk people, like those who have been close to infected people, can get the vaccine.
This approach might cause debate among people who want wider access to the vaccine.
Impact on Travel
The new measures might worry some frequent travellers.
They might wonder if it’s still easy to travel in and out of Singapore.
But these steps are meant to keep everyone safe from the viral illness.
Ongoing Monitoring
MOH said, “MOH is monitoring the global situation very closely.”
This means they are watching how this viral illness spreads around the world.
If things change, Singapore might adjust its plans to keep people safe.
Singapore is taking careful steps to prevent mpox from spreading, while trying to keep travel smooth.
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