|
 Monkeypox, a virus similar to the human smallpox which was
eradicated in 1980, does not spread easily from person to person,
but can in rare cases be fatal.
Human monkeypox infections have only been documented three times
outside of Africa, in the United States, the United Kingdom and
Israel, according to the U.S.-based Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a statement late on
Thursday that the infected patient was a 38-year-old Nigerian who
arrived in Singapore in late April.
"While risk of spread is low, MOH is taking precautions," the
ministry said in a statement, adding that ongoing investigations
suggest 23 persons had been identified as being in close contact
with the patient while he was in Singapore.
Authorities said prior to his arrival in Singapore the man attended
a wedding in Nigeria where he may have eaten bushmeat which could be
the source of the virus transmission. Bushmeat, which can be
chimpanzee, gorilla, antelope, birds or rodent, is a staple of some
African diets.
[to top of second column] |
Monkeypox typically lasts for two to four weeks, starting as a fever
and headache and progressing through to small bumps called pustules
that spread over the body.
Sporadic human cases of monkeypox have been reported in west and
central Africa since the 1970s, and in 2003, the first cases outside
of Africa were reported in the United States.
Last September, Britain reported its first cases all linked to
travel in Nigeria.
(Reporting by John Geddie; Editing by Michael Perry)
[© 2019 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2019 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
