Two new measles cases were reported in Singapore during the first week of February, bringing the year’s total to 13 cases. The latest weekly bulletin from the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) confirmed two new infections occurred between February 1 and February 7, while January had recorded eleven cases.
The CDA also clarified on Friday that there are no confirmed measles cases at any childcare centers or preschools as of Thursday afternoon, despite circulating rumors about a possible case at a childcare facility.
A Facebook post in the group Childcare in Singapore claimed a childcare center had informed a parent about a measles case there. The CDA stated it was aware of false information circulating online about an alleged case at a childcare center.
In a media statement, the CDA said, “As of February 12, 12pm, there are no confirmed measles cases at childcare centers or preschools in Singapore.” It added that a few suspected cases had been referred to the CDA for review, but all tests returned negative for the measles virus. The agency urged the public not to speculate or spread unfounded rumors and to rely on official sources for health information.
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness caused by the measles virus. The virus can remain infectious in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours, and people can become infected by inhaling contaminated air or by touching contaminated surfaces and then rubbing their eyes, nose, or mouth. Transmission can also occur through coughing and sneezing.
Last week, Singapore announced new measures to curb rising infections, including mandatory isolation for measles cases, contact tracing, and quarantine for certain close contacts.
