Debated in Parliament on 5 Jul 2022.
Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Health with regard to the unprecedented spread of the monkeypox virus (a) what measures are in place to detect the disease at Singapore’s borders; (b) should the monkeypox virus spread to Singapore, what other measures will be activated, in addition to contact tracing and quarantine; and (c) as some symptoms of the monkeypox virus infection are similar to those of COVID-19 and dengue infections, whether guidelines will be provided to doctors and the public on how to stay vigilant for symptoms of this disease.
Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Health whether there is information on which demographic is more vulnerable to critical illnesses caused by the monkeypox virus.
Ms Ng Ling Ling asked the Minister for Health in light of emerging communicable diseases, such as monkeypox and tuberculosis (a) how is the Ministry planning to step up preventive measures to control the spread of such infectious diseases within the population; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider encouraging limited vaccination for the more vulnerable groups, such as frontline staff and elderly residents.
Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry can provide an update on the prevalence of monkeypox; and (b) what are the Ministry’s plans to (i) mitigate the spread of the virus and (ii) educate the community on its risk factors and prevention.
Mdm Deputy Speaker, may I have your permission to take Question Nos 11 to 14, please?
Yes.
Madam, the issues raised in these four Parliamentary Questions (PQs) were answered in the combined answer that was provided yesterday which has been circulated to Members. But I am happy to take any supplementary questions that Members have today.
Any questions? Ms Joan Pereira.
Thank you, Mdm Deputy Speaker. May I know what are the measures to prevent monkeypox from spreading and whether the Ministry would consider encouraging smallpox vaccination as a preventive measure, as they are thought to be about 85% effective against monkeypox infection?
Madam, as explained in the answer yesterday, hygiene measures, contact tracing of close contacts – all of which rest upon early detection and diagnosis – are the key measures to prevent the spread of monkeypox, which is a self-limiting illness, where patients recover and it largely does not cause serious illness.
Also, the issue of the smallpox vaccine was addressed in the answer yesterday. It is up to 85% effective in preventing monkeypox, but has significant side effects. And for the general population, the risks of complications outweigh the benefits because the general population is at low risk of being infected. So, we would reinforce personal responsibility to avoid high-risk activities, especially when symptomatic, and practising good personal hygiene, all of which remain very effective at reducing the risk of transmission in the general population.
Dr Lim Wee Kiak.
Monkeypox has been endemic in Congo and certain parts of Africa. But what is the main factor responsible for this very elusive viral disease starting to spread to Europe as well as, now, to Asia? Although the current risk assessment by MOH of monkeypox is that it is still low to the general public, with the ongoing transmission, is there a risk that this virus may mutate into something more like its own cousin, smallpox, which had resulted in higher morbidity as well as mortality?
Last of all, how is MOH preparing for this? Is smallpox vaccination now available in Singapore? If not, when will it be made available, especially to vulnerable groups as well as healthcare workers who are dealing with this disease?
Mdm Deputy Speaker, I thank the Member for the questions. With respect to what is now the main factor for the spread, I would point out that it is spreading very slowly. This is not COVID-19. There was a total of 3,411 cases, I think, the last time WHO reported on this around the world in 49 countries. We only had one case here in Singapore.
The main reason for why it spreads to certain individuals is a combination of age as well as prolonged and extensive physical contact. Would it mutate like any virus? The Member would be aware that there is always a possibility for mutation. These are not things that can be predicted ahead of time.
How are we preparing for this? The surveillance around emerging infectious diseases within our healthcare system applies to a variety of diseases and would apply to monkeypox as well.
Smallpox vaccination is available in Singapore and can be used, for example, for healthcare workers who are at high risk or laboratory personnel who are handling such pathogens.
Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim.
Thank you, Mdm Deputy Speaker. I filed a PQ yesterday and it was answered in respect of the monkeypox situation. Just to clarify, in the answer, the Senior Minister of State mentioned that a small percentage of those can fall seriously ill, and 99% of the cases were men and have been self-identified as men who have sex with men. That is the data from the current multi-country outbreak indicated in Europe. So, my question is, given the risk factors involved, what would be the advisory and efforts for us to reach out to groups of the community that are more susceptible than others?
Mdm Deputy Speaker, I thank the Member for his question. There is no current evidence to suggest that the disease is sexually transmitted. And as I have mentioned earlier, it is prolonged and extensive physical contact. So, while the reported population does appear to be disproportionately men, and men who self-identify as men having sex with men, there is no specific advice for that community over and above the general advice around not coming into contact with persons who are demonstrating the signs of infection, taking appropriate steps yourself if you have signs of the infection and seeking medical care, isolating yourself to prevent further spread, and then participating in the contact tracing process.
As with all similar diseases, the personal responsibility around hygiene and your own state of health continues to apply and is extraordinarily important in preventing further spread of this disease.
PAPERCUTS