A colourised transmission electron microscope image showing mpox virus particles inside an infected cell. (Reuters)
Singapore has confirmed its first locally transmitted cases of mpox involving the more severe clade 1b variant, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) announced on April 2.
The two cases involve men aged 30 and 34 and mark the country’s first recorded infections of the clade 1b strain, which is considered more serious than the previously circulating clade 2 variant.
According to the CDA, both men are believed to have contracted the virus through sexual contact and are currently in stable condition. The agency emphasised that the overall risk to the wider public remains low, noting that mpox is primarily transmitted through intimate or prolonged physical contact, including sexual activity.
The 30-year-old patient had no recent travel history. He began experiencing symptoms on March 25 and was admitted to hospital on March 30. Laboratory tests confirmed the clade 1b infection the following day. He has since been discharged and is undergoing home isolation until April 20 pending further clinical review.
The second patient, aged 34, had recently travelled and is believed to have had prolonged physical contact with the first case. He developed symptoms on March 26 and sought medical attention on March 31. His infection was confirmed on April 1 and he has been placed on home isolation until April 21.
Health authorities said investigations and contact tracing are ongoing. Close contacts have been advised to monitor their health and seek medical care if symptoms appear. Those assessed as high-risk contacts may be offered mpox vaccination as post-exposure prophylaxis.
The clade 1b variant first emerged in September 2023 and was initially detected among sex workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was linked to a surge of infections across several African countries in 2024.
Common symptoms of mpox include rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain and swollen lymph nodes. Severe complications may occur in medically vulnerable individuals.
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