On the 2nd of June, a man with monkeypox arrived in Singapore and possibly infected the people he encountered. Reports say the man came from Barcelona and transited to Changi Airport.
Monkeypox recently sparked concern after a UK traveller contracted the disease from Nigeria. This infectious disease usually gets transmitted to humans by animals. At present, monkeypox has been on the rise across the globe.
Additionally, this viral disease occurs primarily in central and western Africa. Its name was derived from the disease’s discovery in laboratory monkeys. To learn more about the global concern, we detailed the recent report about the man with monkeypox in Singapore. We also included how the Ministry of Health (MOH) plans to monitor a possible disease spread.
In this article, you’ll read:
- MOH Monitors People Who Encountered Man With Monkeypox in Singapore
- Tracing Contact Between Man With Monkeypox
- Things You Must Know About Monkeypox
MOH Monitors People Who Encountered Man With Monkeypox in Singapore
According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), one monkeypox case has transited through Singapore. At present, thirteen people are in casual contact with the person who tested positive for monkeypox.
The person who tested positive for monkeypox is a traveller from Barcelona who transited at Changi Airport in Singapore. He arrives at the airport on the 2nd of June, 2022.
On Monday, the 6th of June, the Ministry of Health was informed about its development last Saturday. Meanwhile, no local cases have been detected in Singapore this year.
Tracing Contact Between Man With Monkeypox
Image source: iStock
The man with the confirmed monkeypox case left Barcelona on the 1st of June. Afterwards, his flight landed at Changi airport on the 2nd of June.
On the same day, the man remained in the transit holding area until he departed for Sydney. According to MOH, he did not visit other places in the airport.
They also added that the person was not able to enter Singapore. Concerning this, he also did not interact with other people in the area. At present, there is no significant risk for community transmission.
“However, as a precautionary measure, we have conducted contact tracing for the two affected flights and those who might have come into contact with the traveller at the airport transit area,” said the MOH.
Fortunately, upon assessment, there was no close contact with the infected man. Along with this, MOH added that there would be no requirement for quarantine.
To ensure the safety of everyone, authorities continue to observe thirteen people who may have casual contact with the traveller. They were put on phone surveillance for 21 days. Additionally, they will receive daily calls to ascertain their health until the end of the monitoring period.
If they happen to notice any symptoms related to monkeypox, they must immediately communicate with authorities. They also need to follow MOH’s instructions and undergo a medical assessment. Aside from that, they may also be conveyed to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases for further evaluation.
Just like any other disease, monkeypox also has its symptoms. It typically includes a high fever and a blister chickenpox-like rash. The chickenpox-like ras clears up after a few weeks.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said that there are already 780 laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox. These confirmed case reports were from 27 non-endemic countries. At present, the global risk level is moderate.
Things You Must Know About Monkeypox
Image source: iStock
Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis. Humans often contract it from infected animals before spreading to other people. Moreover, you might find the symptoms similar to that of smallpox. Fortunately, monkeypox displays less severe risks to your health.
Monkeypox primarily occurs in central and west Africa, often near tropical rainforests. It has also been increasingly appearing in urban areas.
Signs and Symptoms of Monkeypox
The symptoms of monkeypox in humans are similar to but milder than symptoms of smallpox. Monkeypox begins with fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion.
The main difference between the two is that monkeypox causes lymph nodes to swell while smallpox does not. The incubation period for monkeypox is from 7 to 14 days; however, it could also range from 5-to 21 days. Please, take note of the following symptoms of monkeypox listed below:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
After the fever, the infected person develops a rash that usually first appears on the face. The rash eventually spreads to other parts of their body.
Additionally, the infection continues to manifest for 2 to 4 weeks. In African countries, 1 in 10 infected people dies because of this infectious disease.
How to Avoid Having Monkeypox
Due to the different ways of contracting monkeypox, most people who hear of it end up panicking. However, preventive measures related to this disease are already practiced by different health institutions. Here are some ways you can stop its spread:
- Avoid contact with animals that could harbour the virus (including animals that are sick or found dead in areas where monkeypox occurs).
- Do not use materials or instruments that have been in contact with a sick animal.
- Isolate infected patients from others.
- Practice good hand hygiene after contact with infected animals or humans. Always wash your hands with soap and water after any type of contact. You may also use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for patients.
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