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Singapore confirms imported case of monkeypox after flight attendant develops fever and rashes

SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed one imported case of monkeypox infection in Singapore.
<p>Monkeypox, caused by a virus, causes flu-like symptoms such as fever. A rash that comes on after fever subsides is also a sign and it can take weeks to clear.</p>

Monkeypox, caused by a virus, causes flu-like symptoms such as fever. A rash that comes on after fever subsides is also a sign and it can take weeks to clear.

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SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed one imported case of monkeypox infection in Singapore.

The patient is a 42-year-old British man who works as a flight attendant. MOH said that he was in Singapore between June 15 and 17, and again on June 19 as he flew in and out of Singapore.

He tested positive for monkeypox on June 20.

He is now warded in at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) and his condition is stable. Contact tracing is ongoing, MOH said.

The patient had onset of headache on June 14 and fever two days later. These symptoms then resolved and he developed skin rashes on June 19.

MOH said that the man sought medical attention via teleconsultation on the night of June 19 and was taken to NCID the next day for further assessment.

It added: “Contact tracing is ongoing for the affected flights and for the duration of his stay in Singapore. During this period, he had largely remained in his hotel room, except to visit a massage establishment, and eat at three food establishments on June 16.

“In general, the risk of transmission to visitors at these locations is low, as data has shown that monkeypox transmits through close physical or prolonged contact. All four locations visited by the case are undergoing cleaning and disinfection.” 

As of Tuesday, 13 close contacts have been identified. All of them will be placed on quarantine for 21 days since their last contact with the man.

“In addition, two low-risk contacts have been placed on phone surveillance.

"Persons under phone surveillance will receive daily phone calls during the 21-day period to monitor for any onset of symptoms. If suspected of being infected, they will be immediately conveyed to the NCID for further evaluation and isolation to prevent further transmission,” MOH said.

A person who has monkeypox may have symptoms that include fever, headaches, swellings, back pain, aching muscles and a general fatigue.

Once the fever stops, a bumpy rash may develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body, most commonly the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. CNA

For more reports like this, visit cna.asia.

Related topics

MOH Monkeypox NCID infectious disease contact tracing

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