23-8-2024 (SINGAPORE) In a proactive move to safeguard public health, Singapore has announced enhanced screening measures at its border checkpoints following the global health emergency declaration for mpox. The decision comes in the wake of Thailand’s detection of a new, more virulent strain of the virus, sending ripples of concern throughout Southeast Asia.
Starting Friday, temperature checks and visual screenings will be implemented at Changi and Seletar airports, as well as sea entry points. These measures will target inbound travellers and crew arriving from regions deemed at risk of mpox outbreaks. The Ministry of Health (MOH) stated that individuals presenting with fever, rash, or mpox-compatible symptoms would be referred for immediate medical assessment.
This heightened vigilance mirrors similar actions taken by other Asian nations, including China, India, and Pakistan, as the continent grapples with the potential spread of the virus. The discovery of the new mutated strain, identified as clade Ib, in Thailand has particularly galvanised regional health authorities into action.
Singapore’s MOH reported that as of Thursday, 13 confirmed cases of mpox have been detected this year, all belonging to the less severe Clade II category. Notably, no instances of the more dangerous Clade I have been identified within the city-state’s borders.
The Thai case that sparked regional alarm involved a 66-year-old European male who arrived in Bangkok from Africa last week. Thai health authorities have since placed 43 close contacts under surveillance, demonstrating the potential for rapid community spread.
In response to this development, Thailand has announced stringent measures of its own. Travellers from 42 countries with known mpox outbreaks will be required to register via an online health ministry application before departing for Thailand. Upon arrival, they will undergo thorough health screenings in line with global protocols.
The new strain, clade Ib, carries a sobering fatality rate of 3 per cent and has been linked to over 500 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo alone. Particularly concerning is its impact on younger populations, with fatality rates exceeding 60 per cent among patients under five years old.
Unlike the 2022 outbreak, which primarily affected men who have sex with men, the current variant is showing a more indiscriminate pattern of transmission. It spreads through various forms of sexual activity and close physical contact, presenting with distinctive fluid-filled lesions.
Thailand’s response includes plans for a dedicated 60-room quarantine facility, underscoring the gravity with which authorities view the potential for a widespread outbreak. This precautionary stance is particularly crucial as the country enters its peak tourist season, a vital period for its economy.
The tourism sector, accounting for approximately 20 per cent of total jobs and 12 per cent of Thailand’s US$500 billion economy, stands at risk should the outbreak escalate. With foreign arrivals already up by 33 per cent to 22.5 million through mid-August compared to the same period last year, the stakes for containing the virus are exceptionally high.
