- Singapore has intensified monkeypox screening for seafarers, travelers, and crew, focusing on ports and airports to prevent the spread of the virus.
- The World Health Organization has declared a global public health emergency due to the rise in monkeypox cases, with 457 deaths and nearly 14,000 infections reported worldwide.
- Singapore has confirmed 13 cases of the milder Clade II strain of monkeypox, while more dangerous variants have been detected in countries like Sweden and Thailand.
On August 23, 2024, Singapore began testing foreign seafarers for monkeypox, stepping up efforts to manage the viral outbreak. The country’s Ministry of Health (MOH) introduced enhanced screening, including temperature checks and visual inspections at Changi and Seletar airports for travelers and workers arriving from monkeypox-affected regions. Similar screening techniques will be used at sea checkpoints for crew and passengers arriving by ship from affected areas, reports Marine Insight.
Global Monkeypox Outbreak
The WHO declared a global public health emergency in response to a spike in monkeypox cases worldwide, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
As of August 22, 2024, 457 deaths and nearly 14,000 monkeypox cases have been reported this year, with cases spreading to Pakistan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Sweden. Sweden reported its first case of the more severe Mpox Clade I variant, while Thailand identified Mpox IB in a European man.
Singapore’s Monkeypox Status
In Singapore, 13 cases of the milder Clade II strain of monkeypox have been confirmed, but no cases of the more severe Clade I variant have been reported. These precautionary measures were put in place after the global rise in infections and the emergence of more dangerous variants.
The Singapore MOH stressed the importance of personal hygiene and responsibility to reduce the risk of transmission. Authorities are urging the public to adopt proper health practices to help limit the spread of the virus amidst rising concerns.
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Source: Marine Insight
