2 new measles cases detected in Singapore, bringing total to 13 for 2026 so far
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Vaccination can confer long-term protection against measles infection.
PHOTO: REUTERS
SINGAPORE – Another two new measles cases have been detected in Singapore, bringing the country’s total count in 2026 to 13 cases – the second-highest annual count in the past six years despite it only being February.
The latest figures were published on Feb 12 by the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) in the weekly infectious diseases bulletin. The two new cases detected between Feb 1 and Feb 7 represent a drop compared with the five cases detected the week before.
The total case count for 2026 stands at 13, surpassing the 11 cases in 2024. There were 27 cases in 2025 – the highest number since 2020. There were 152 measles cases in 2019 – a significant spike due to global outbreaks.
Singapore has enhanced precautionary measures since Feb 6
The moves include mandatory isolation of people with confirmed measles infection until they are no longer infectious – typically four days after the onset of a rash, according to CDA. Contact tracing will also be conducted for all infected cases, and close contacts have to be either vaccinated or quarantined for up to 21 days.
CDA had said that of the 11 cases detected in January 2026, three cases were confirmed by laboratory testing to be infected by genetically linked virus strains, even though the cases had no known contact with one another. This suggests undetected local transmission in the community, which led CDA to start epidemiological investigations.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, CDA confirmed that neither of the new cases were contacts of or genetically linked to the 11 cases detected in January 2026.
The measles virus is spread through air droplets and direct contact with nasal and throat secretions. Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat and rashes.
There is no specific treatment, and most people recover in two to three weeks. However, measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis – inflammation of the brain – especially in children below five years of age.
Completing two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination will confer up to 97 per cent immunity against measles. Vaccination is recommended at the ages of 12 months and 15 months for children.
In its reply to ST, CDA said there is sufficient supply of the MMR vaccine to meet the expected demand from the groups recommended for vaccination in Singapore.
Adults who are unsure of their vaccination status or have not been vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine are advised to consult a healthcare provider. A serology test may be conducted to determine their measles immunity status.
Should an individual prefer to be vaccinated without taking the serology test, it is safe for them to do so, said CDA.
Separately, CDA launched a tender on the government-wide procurement system GeBIZ on Jan 27 for a health surveillance service provider.
Under the maximum two-year contract, the provider could be activated by the agency any time.
Tender documents seen by The Straits Times stipulate that the provider has to put in place the necessary infrastructure, systems and resources to man and operate the contact centre, and to provide health surveillance services within 24 hours.
Its contact centre operations will need to scale up in phases, which includes possibly handling up to 10,000 inbound and outbound calls and/or SMS, WhatsApp or Telegram messages each day.
Ten companies responded to the tender, which closed on Feb 12, with bid prices ranging from about $188,000 to about $3.3 million.
CDA’s enhanced measures for the measles cases include placing those infected in home isolation until they are not infectious, unless they have been hospitalised. Non-immune close contacts of the measles cases will be quarantined at home for up to 21 days.
The agency has said it will conduct random video-call checks on those in home isolation and home quarantine. In its reply to ST, CDA said the health surveillance service provider is not meant to monitor confirmed measles cases or their quarantined contacts.
No measles cases in childcare centres or pre-schools: CDA
In a separate statement issued on Feb 13, CDA refuted information circulating online that there was a measles case at a childcare centre.
CDA said that as at noon on Feb 12, there were no confirmed measles cases at childcare centres or pre-schools in Singapore.
The agency added that it had a few cases of suspected measles referred to it by doctors as a precaution, but all had tested negative for measles.
CDA urged members of the public to rely on official sources for health information, and not to speculate and spread unfounded rumours.
