SINGAPORE: Temperature and visual screening will conducted from Friday (Aug 23) for certain inbound travellers and crew at Changi and Seletar airports as a precautionary measure against mpox.
Such screening will be conducted for those arriving on flights from places which may be exposed to the risk of mpox outbreaks, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Thursday night.
So far, there are no direct flights between Singapore and any mpox outbreak country.
Similar screening measures will also be implemented at sea checkpoints for crew and passengers arriving on ships from mpox affected areas.
These precautionary measures will enhance Singapore’s “surveillance capabilities” against mpox at its borders, said MOH.
Health advisories have been put in place at air checkpoints so that travellers will take the necessary personal precautions to avoid being infected.
“Travellers are strongly advised to adhere to the advisory, especially if they are travelling to and from affected countries.
“Travellers who have fever, rash and/or symptoms compatible with mpox will be referred for medical assessment,” said MOH.
As of Thursday, 13 confirmed mpox cases have been detected in Singapore this year, all of which are of the less severe Clade 2 infections.
There have been no Clade 1 cases detected in Singapore to date.
While mpox has been known for decades, a new deadlier and more transmissible strain – known as Clade 1b – has driven the recent surge in cases.
Clade 1b causes death in about 3.6 per cent of cases, with children more at risk, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
