2 men in Singapore confirmed to have contracted more serious mpox variant: CDA

Two men in Singapore have contracted mpox clade Ib — a more severe variant of the virus — said the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) on Thursday (April 2).

The men, who are currently in stable condition, had likely been infected through sexual activities, the public health authority added.

CDA said on Thursday that the two cases are connected to each other.

In the first case, a 30-year-old man developed symptoms on March 25 and was admitted to hospital on March 30.

He had not travelled recently, but reported having recent sexual contact.

On March 31, tests confirmed that he was infected with mpox clade Ib.

The authority said he has since been discharged and is on home isolation until April 20, pending further clinical review.

The second case involves a 34-year-old man who reported recent travel history and sexual contact.

He confirmed having "prolonged physical contact" with the first case recently, said CDA.

He developed symptoms on March 26 and sought medical attention on March 31, and tests confirmed the mpox clade Ib infection the next day.

The older man has also been placed on home isolation until April 21, pending further clinical review.

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CDA said that investigations and contact tracing are ongoing for both cases, adding that population-wide vaccination is not recommended as the virus is predominantly transmitted through intimate or prolonged physical contact.

"As mpox is predominantly transmitted through intimate or prolonged physical contact, including sexual contact, the risk to the general public is currently low," it assured.

As at March 21, all mpox infections detected in Singapore were clade IIb infections, according to the agency's weekly bulletin on infectious diseases.

Clade I of the monkeypox virus (with subclades Ia and Ib) is predominantly reported in parts of Central Africa and has been detected primarily in travel-related cases worldwide since 2024.

Clade II (with subclades IIa and IIb) is endemic in West Africa and had caused a global outbreak in 2022 and 2023.

The World Health Organisation said it currently understands that clade I of the virus leads to more severe disease and death than clade II, and that studies are ongoing to understand the properties of subclade Ib.

Groups at high risk of exposure can opt for the mpox vaccine on a self-paid basis at the Department of Sexually Transmitted Infections Control Clinic, Tanjong Pagar Medical Clinic, Dr Jay Medical Centre, and Anteh Dispensary.

It will also be available at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases from May 2026.

CDA urged members of the public to remain vigilant and protect themselves from mpox by avoiding high-risk sexual activities, such as engaging in casual sex or having multiple sexual partners.

The risk of acquiring mpox has been reported to be disproportionally higher among gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men, it noted.

Individuals who travel to countries affected by mpox should also practise good hand hygiene, reduce physical contact with unwell people, and avoid consuming bushmeat.

If one develops symptoms such as fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes within 21 days of travelling, they should seek medical attention.

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lim.kewei@asiaone.com