QUARANTINE COMPLETED FOR ALL CLOSE CONTACTS OF PATIENT DIAGNOSED WITH MONKEYPOX

         All 22 close contacts of the imported case of monkeypox in Singapore have completed their quarantine, after having been monitored for the maximum incubation period of 21 days from their last date of exposure to the patient. The last close contact completed quarantine on 28 May 2019. All close contacts are well and remain asymptomatic.

2.     The patient, a 38-year-old Nigerian national who tested positive for monkeypox on 8 May, has recovered and has been assessed to be non-infectious. He was discharged from the National Centre for Infectious Diseases on 24 May 2019 and left Singapore on the same day.

3.     Eight other contacts who were assessed to have a low risk of being infected had been put on active surveillance, where they were called twice daily to monitor their health progress. To date, all contacts have reported to be well and asymptomatic. Active surveillance will end on 30 May 2019.

4.    Director of Medical Services, Associate Professor Benjamin Ong, said, “Early detection, contact tracing and quarantine of close contacts have enabled us to tackle the monkeypox case in a proactive, swift and coordinated manner. We thank all healthcare staff involved in the diagnosis and management of this case for their dedication and hard work. Singapore must continue to stay vigilant in our fight against infectious disease threats.”

Advice for Public

5.      MOH advises the public to stay vigilant. Travellers to areas affected by monkeypox in Central and Western Africa should take the following precautions:

• Maintain a high standard of personal hygiene, including frequent hand washing after going to the toilet, or when hands are soiled.

• Avoid direct contact with skin lesions of infected living or dead persons or animals, as well as objects that may have become contaminated with infectious fluids, such as soiled clothing or linens (e.g. bedding or towels) used by an infected person.

• Avoid contact with wild animals, and consumption of bush meat.

• Returning travellers from areas affected by monkeypox should seek immediate medical attention if they develop any disease symptoms (e.g. sudden onset of high fever, swollen lymph nodes and rash) within three weeks of their return. They should inform their doctor of their recent travel history. 

MINISTRY OF HEALTH
28 MAY 2019