Monkeypox

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1240

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 01 AUGUST 2022

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Dr Lim Wee Kiak

MP for Sembawang GRC

Question No. 3134

To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether there is any new evidence of community spread of local monkeypox cases; (b) how many doses of smallpox vaccines have been administered; and (c) whether there is an adequate stockpile of vaccines to protect the vulnerable groups.

Answer

1.     As of 31 Jul 2022, Singapore has a total of 11 monkeypox cases reported in 2022. None of these cases are linked to each other. All cases have had mild symptoms and are clinically stable; they were promptly isolated until non-infectious. Contact tracing was initiated and 45 close contacts were identified. 

2.     All close contacts who remained in Singapore [1] are well, and 11 of them have completed their quarantine. Thus far, none of the local contacts had developed symptoms compatible with monkeypox, nor tested positive for monkeypox. There is therefore no evidence of further spread in the community from the reported cases.

3.     Close contacts were offered the smallpox vaccine as post-exposure prophylaxis, which is reported to be 85% effective at preventing monkeypox infection. To date, 11 close contacts have taken up the smallpox vaccine.

4.     However, and as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), mass population-wide vaccination with the smallpox vaccine is currently not recommended as a preventive strategy for monkeypox as the benefits do not outweigh the risk.

5.     Individuals who are at higher risk of infection due to exposure to confirmed cases or their specimens, including healthcare and laboratory personnel, may be offered the smallpox vaccines to protect them from getting infected. There is an adequate supply of smallpox vaccines.

6.     Based on international data, the current monkeypox outbreak generally causes a mild and self-limiting illness. With globally three deaths out of more than 20,900 cases reported outside of Africa, the case fatality rate currently stands around 0.01%, or approximately 1 in 10,000. As we learn more about the disease, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will continuously review and calibrate our response measures to be commensurate with the public health risk. In line with the WHO’s recommendations, MOH has also provided appropriate advice and precautionary measures to the public, including the at-risk population, to raise awareness and reduce the risk of onward transmission.

7.     MOH will continue to monitor the situation closely and further calibrate our preparedness and response measures, including vaccination strategies, as needed.  

[1] Out of the 45 close contacts identified, 10 were repatriated before the end of their quarantine period.