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SINGAPORE-NIGERIA-HEALTH-VIRUS
Singapore reports first case of rare monkeypox virus
SINGAPORE, May 10, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Singapore has reported its first ever
case of monkeypox, brought in by a Nigerian man thought to have contracted
the rare virus by eating bushmeat at a wedding.
Symptoms in humans of monkeypox — which is endemic in parts of Central and
Western Africa — include lesions, fever, muscle ache and chills.
Transmission is usually via close contact with infected animals such as
rodents and monkeys and is limited between people. It is not normally fatal
but has been in rare cases.
The man who brought in the virus arrived in Singapore on April 28, the
city-state’s health ministry (MOH) said in a statement late Thursday.
The 38-year-old developed symptoms two days later and is currently isolated
at an infectious disease centre in a stable condition, the ministry said.
Another 23 individuals who had been in close contact with the man have also
been quarantined and will be monitored for 21 days.
“While risk of spread is low, MOH is taking precautions,” the ministry
said.
Outside Africa, human moneypox infections had only been previously reported
in the United States, Britain and Israel, according to the US Centers For
Disease Control and Prevention.
Singapore, a tiny but affluent city-state dependent on external trade and
tourism, has toughened measures against infectious diseases after it was hit
hard by the 2003 SARS virus outbreak.
The disease killed 33 people in Singapore, inflicted major losses on the
economy and hit the number of international visitors.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1414 hrs