Janil Puthucheary on preventing monkeypox spread

Singapore has reported 11 monkeypox cases for the year, as of Jul 31. None of these cases are linked to each other. All of them have had mild symptoms and are clinically stable. There is no evidence of further spread of monkeypox in the community. No local close contacts of the reported cases have developed symptoms compatible with the virus or tested positive. Close contacts were also offered the smallpox vaccine as "post-exposure prophylaxis". The vaccine is reported to be 85 per cent effective at preventing monkeypox infection. To date, 11 close contacts have taken up the smallpox vaccine. Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary gave this update in reply to an MP's questions in Parliament on Monday (Aug 1). He said the Ministry of Health will continue to monitor the situation closely and further calibrate its preparedness and response measures, including vaccination strategies as needed.