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SINGAPORE: Singapore has confirmed its first locally transmitted cases of mpox, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said on Thursday (Apr 2).<\/p>\n
The two cases \u2013 both men aged 30 and 34 – are also the country’s first reported infections of the more serious clade 1b variant.<\/p>\n
Both are believed to have been infected through sexual contact and are in stable condition.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs mpox is predominantly transmitted through intimate or prolonged physical contact, including sexual contact, the risk to the general public is currently low,\u201d CDA said in a media release.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old man had no recent travel history. He developed symptoms on Mar 25 and was admitted to hospital on Mar 30. His clade 1b infection was confirmed the following day.<\/p>\n
He has since been discharged and placed on home isolation until Apr 20, pending further clinical review.<\/p>\n
The 34-year-old man recently travelled and had prolonged physical contact with the first case, said CDA.<\/p>\n
He developed symptoms on Mar 26 and sought medical care on Mar 31. His infection was confirmed on Apr 1. He has been placed on home isolation until Apr 21.<\/p>\n
“Investigations and contact tracing are ongoing for both cases,” said CDA.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Their close contacts have been advised to monitor their health and seek medical care if they are unwell. High-risk contacts will be recommended mpox vaccination as post-exposure prophylaxis.”<\/p>\n
The clade 1b strain, which is typically more severe than clade 2 infections, first emerged in September 2023 and was initially detected among sex workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was behind a surge in cases in African countries in 2024.<\/p>\n
According to data published on CDA’s website, there have been seven mpox cases this year, as of Mar 21. Twenty-three cases were reported in the whole of 2025.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n