Mpox likely more troublesome than disruptive here, says Ong

For Singapore, mpox will likely be "a troublesome virus which we can manage, without major disruptions to our daily lives", Health Minister Ong Ye Kung told Parliament on Sept 9.

- Salma Khalik

He was responding to six MPs who had asked about the measures Singapore is putting in place to protect people against this epidemic.

Explaining, he said the disease is spread largely through close physical contact. The virus is not airborne, and "does not spread far and wide like Covid-19".

The spread of the disease is about 12 times slower: 10 people with mpox will spread it to 13 others, whereas 10 people infected with Covid-19 would spread it to 50 others.

While there are border measures in place, such as declaration of mpox symptoms, as well as temperature and visual screening at both air and sea checkpoints, Mr. Ong said that given the up to 21-day incubation period, "cases may not be picked up at the borders".

So doctors here have all been asked to be alert for mpox symptoms. Suspected cases will be taken to hospital where they will be tested and, if proven to have mpox, will be isolated till they recover.