Singapore Strengthens Airport and Sea Checkpoint Screenings Amid Global Mpox Concerns

Starting Friday, Singapore will implement temperature and visual screenings at Changi and Seletar airports and sea checkpoints to guard against mpox. This step follows confirmed cases of a severe variant in Sweden and Thailand. MOH, Ministry of Transport, and ICA are enhancing border surveillance, although no direct flights from outbreak countries exist.

Starting from Friday, Changi and Seletar airports in Singapore will enhance their surveillance measures by implementing temperature and visual screenings to guard against mpox. The move follows the identification of a potentially more serious variant of the disease in Sweden and Thailand.

In a joint effort, the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Transport, and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority are stepping up the nation's defense at its borders. These measures extend to sea checkpoints, where crew and passengers on ships from mpox-affected regions will undergo similar screenings.

Although Singapore bears no direct flights from outbreak hotspots, the health ministry underscores the importance of these precautionary measures to mitigate the spread of the infectious disease. They also advise travellers to heed health advisories and take personal precautions.

(With inputs from agencies.)