Singapore confirms 2 more local monkeypox cases, including 1st linked infection

SINGAPORE — Singapore announced two more local cases of monkeypox, including its first linked infections, on Friday (5 August), bringing the country's total in the current outbreak to 15.

The two cases are both men, aged 25 and 54, with no recent travel history and were confirmed to be infected on Friday, according to information published online by the Ministry of Health (MOH). The ministry did not specify their nationalities.

The older man is a contact of the 13th case, announced on Wednesday, who is a 33-year-old man with no recent travel history.

In total, there are 10 local and five imported cases, all of whom are men.

Singapore confirmed its first case of monkeypox linked to the outbreak, classified as imported, on 21 June. Its second case, classified as local, was confirmed on 6 July.

Monkeypox, a usually mild viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions, has been spreading globally since May.

The World Health Organization said late last month more than 18,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported across 78 countries, the majority of them in Europe.

On Monday, India confirmed Asia's first monkeypox death, one of only four known fatalities from the disease in the current outbreak.

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