Singapore has reported 13 cases of mpox Clade 2 infections this year, according to a bulletin issued by the health ministry on Thursday.
All identified mpox cases in Singapore have thus far been of the less severe Clade 2 variant. This follows a global rise in concern over mpox Clade 1b, a variant recently confirmed in Thailand, which is only the second case of this strain outside Africa. Clade 1b has raised alarms due to its higher transmissibility through close contact.
The World Health Organization has labeled the recent outbreak of mpox a public health emergency of international concern, highlighting the risks associated with the new variant.
In response, Singapore is intensifying its monitoring efforts. Starting Friday, the health ministry will implement temperature screenings for travelers arriving at Changi and Seletar airports from regions experiencing mpox outbreaks. This measure is part of a broader strategy to manage and mitigate the potential spread of the disease.
