REACH (Telegram) 17 - What are your views on the current responses by the Ministry of Health in managing the mpox outbreak? How else could Singapore better protect against the spread of mpox?

(SK)

26 Aug 2024 (10am - 7pm)

REACH (Telegram)

REACH Singapore, [26/8/2024 9:46 AM]

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REACH Singapore, [26/8/2024 10:06 AM]

📢 Topic 📢

Starting Friday (Aug 23), the Ministry of Health (MOH) has enhanced its surveillance against mpox by implementing temperature and visual screening at air and sea checkpoints for certain inbound passengers and crew from affected areas. Health advisories at air checkpoints also encourage travelers to take precautions against infection.

💬 What are your views on the current responses by the Ministry of Health in managing the mpox outbreak? How else could Singapore better protect against the spread of mpox?

Thirteen confirmed cases of mpox have been detected in Singapore this year, all of which are of the less severe Clade 2 variant. In August, the WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that extended to neighboring countries.

MOH stated that it is closely monitoring the global situation.

 📌 What is mpox and how does it spread

Mpox is a viral disease that is caused by two distinct clades of the monkeypox virus (MPXV), known as Clade I and II.

Prior to 2022, mpox were primarily reported in parts of Central (Clade I) and West Africa (Clade II) where it is endemic. Almost all mpox cases occurring outside of Africa were linked to international travel to endemic regions or through imported animals.

Mpox can spread through physical contact with infected individuals, skin lesions and body fluids, contaminated materials and environments, or exposure to respiratory secretions. The virus can also spread from animals to humans, e.g. through bite or scratch from an infected animal, bush meat preparation, or direct contact with the blood, body fluids, or skin or mucosal lesions of infected animals.

📌 Precautionary Measures and Vaccination Strategy

All travelers must report any mpox-related symptoms, such as fever or rash, as well as their recent travel history through the SG Arrival Card. Medical practitioners are also required to notify the Ministry of Health of any suspected mpox cases. Suspected cases will be isolated in hospitals for further assessment and testing. 

The Ministry of Health stated that its current vaccination strategy is focused on individuals at high risk of infection, such as those who have been in close contact with mpox cases. The ministry is closely monitoring the situation and will adjust its vaccination strategy as needed. At this time, a population-wide mpox vaccination is not recommended based on the current epidemiological data.

📌 Advisories to prevent the spread of mpox

Travelers, particularly those visiting countries affected by mpox, are advised to take precautions such as maintaining a high standard of personal hygiene and avoiding direct contact with skin lesions of infected individuals or animals.  

If symptoms such as fever or rash develop within 21 days of returning from an affected country, immediate medical attention should be sought. Travelers should inform their doctors of their recent travel and exposure history.  

The Ministry of Health emphasized that practicing personal responsibility, especially when symptomatic, along with good personal hygiene, remains effective in reducing the risk of mpox transmission within the general population.

👉 https://str.sg/AoAX

👉 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/mpox-cases-moh-precautionary-measures-changi-seletar-airport-vaccination-clade-2-severe-4561756

👉https://www.moh.gov.sg/diseases-updates/mpox

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REACH Singapore, [26/8/2024 10:59 AM]

[ Poll : 1. Are you concerned about the current mpox situation? ]

- Yes, because there has been a few cases in Singapore

- No, because the situation is mild and measures have been taken appropriately

- Neutral

REACH Singapore, [26/8/2024 11:01 AM]

[ Poll : 2. Are you currently satisfied with the current measures to manage the spread of the new mpox strain? ]

- I am satisfied. The current measures take a balanced approach towards the situation.

- I am somewhat satisfied. More can be done (please share your views in the chats below)

- No, I feel a lot more can be done (please share your views in the chats below)

REACH Singapore, [26/8/2024 11:02 AM]

Dear Contributors,

Please take a moment to participate in our polls 📊and share your opinion 💭. The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts on today’s topic!

Thank you.

Megan

LCL (Danny 心), [26/8/2024 11:50 AM]

1. Screening of symptoms, signs of lesions etc upon entry will be a good measure.

2. Isolation and quarantine is necessary to prevent spread to the general population.

3. However contact tracing will also be important to ensure close contacts are not infected.

4. If infected, close contacts should also be quarantine.

LCL (Danny 心), [26/8/2024 11:53 AM]

1. But understand that although lesions can dry up and drop off after 1 month, body fluid are still contagious up to 3 months or more.

2. Unlike covid is not contagious after 10 days or 2 weeks.

3. Not sure how to keep mpox patients recover and not infecting the general population.

4. Keeping mpox patients away for 3 months are nightmares to the patient.

REACH Singapore, [26/8/2024 1:01 PM]

[ Poll : 1. Are you concerned about the current mpox situation? ]

- Yes, because there has been a few cases in Singapore

- No, because the situation is mild and measures have been taken appropriately

- Neutral

REACH Singapore, [26/8/2024 1:03 PM]

[ Poll : 2. Are you currently satisfied with the current measures to manage the spread of the new mpox strain? ]

- I am satisfied. The current measures take a balanced approach towards the situation.

- I am somewhat satisfied. More can be done (please share your views in the chats below)

- No, I feel a lot more can be done (please share your views in the chats below)

Jun Ming, [26/8/2024 1:26 PM]

I assume the infectivity will be same as hiv

Jun Ming, [26/8/2024 1:26 PM]

So nothing to worry about

xXx.SCAR.xXx, [26/8/2024 1:45 PM]

Supposed to be similar to chicken pox, 'coz spread is via contact or infected surface.

REACH Singapore, [26/8/2024 2:01 PM]

📢 Topic 📢

LCL (Danny 心), [26/8/2024 2:10 PM]

1. I think mpox is more contagious than HIV.

2. HIV is contracted through sexual conduct.

But mpox in addition to sexual conduct, can also be contracted through lesion fluid, and body fluid via touch or contaminated surfaces.

3. Clade 1b can even be contracted through direct sneezing or saliva via direct coughing in close proximity.

4. However mpox is less contagious than covid that is transmissible through air and contaminated surfaces.

REACH Singapore, [26/8/2024 3:01 PM]

[ Poll : 1. Are you concerned about the current mpox situation? ]

- Yes, because there has been a few cases in Singapore

- No, because the situation is mild and measures have been taken appropriately

- Neutral

REACH Singapore, [26/8/2024 3:03 PM]

[ Poll : 2. Are you currently satisfied with the current measures to manage the spread of the new mpox strain? ]

- I am satisfied. The current measures take a balanced approach towards the situation.

- I am somewhat satisfied. More can be done (please share your views in the chats below)

- No, I feel a lot more can be done (please share your views in the chats below)

G, [26/8/2024 4:00 PM]

Monkeypox has been politicised to now use "politically correct" language and context so as not to offend certain groups (LGBT "activists")

Statistically, people infected monkeypox are gay men, and appears to be overwhelmingly transmitted via gay sex 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9264731/

Why isn't the health advisories more targeted to the most vulnerable group? Is it because MOH need to appear to be more "politically correct" than anything else?

G, [26/8/2024 4:03 PM]

The greater concern is that public health in general has gone woke

REACH Singapore, [26/8/2024 4:04 PM]

📢 Topic 📢

LCL (Danny 心), [26/8/2024 4:28 PM]

Symptoms of mpox

Based on currently available data, individuals who are at higher risk of severe illness include young children, pregnant women or immunocompromised individuals.

Source:- Google

LCL (Danny 心), [26/8/2024 4:30 PM]

Mpox Cases by Age and Gender, Race/Ethnicity, and Symptoms | Mpox | Poxvirus | CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/response/2022/demographics.html

REACH Singapore, [26/8/2024 5:00 PM]

[ Poll : 1. Are you concerned about the current mpox situation? ]

- Yes, because there has been a few cases in Singapore

- No, because the situation is mild and measures have been taken appropriately

- Neutral

REACH Singapore, [26/8/2024 5:03 PM]

[ Poll : 2. Are you currently satisfied with the current measures to manage the spread of the new mpox strain? ]

- I am satisfied. The current measures take a balanced approach towards the situation.

- I am somewhat satisfied. More can be done (please share your views in the chats below)

- No, I feel a lot more can be done (please share your views in the chats below)

REACH Singapore, [26/8/2024 5:04 PM]

REACH Singapore, [26/8/2024 5:04 PM]

Dear Contributors,

Please take a moment to participate in our polls 📊and share your opinion 💭. The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts on today’s topic!

Thank you.

Megan

REACH Singapore, [26/8/2024 6:03 PM]

📢 Topic 📢

REACH Singapore, [26/8/2024 6:45 PM]

Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

REACH Singapore, [26/8/2024 6:59 PM]

Dear Contributors

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

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