Singapore records 27 measles cases to date in 2026, matching 2025 total case count

SINGAPORE – With three new measles cases detected last week, Singapore has recorded a total of 27 cases since the start of 2026, matching the figure for the whole of 2025.

In addition, a new measles cluster has grown to five cases.

The 27 cases in 2025 had been the highest number since 2020. But there were 152 measles cases in 2019 – a significant spike due to global outbreaks. The latest numbers were published on April 9 by the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) in its weekly infectious diseases bulletin.

Associate Professor Lim Poh Lian, group director of the communicable diseases programmes at CDA, told The Straits Times on April 10 that of the 27 cases, 26 involved people not fully vaccinated, including five infants less than a year old who could not be vaccinated with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR).

Measles cases are rising in the region, driven by disruptions in routine vaccinations during the Covid-19 pandemic and increased travel. Several countries, including Indonesia and Bangladesh, are experiencing surges.

In Singapore, 99 per cent of the adult population have immunity against measles, largely because they have either contracted the disease before or have been vaccinated against it. Nonetheless, the authorities have enhanced precautionary measures since April to prevent spread within the community.

When announcing the enhanced measures on March 31, CDA revealed there were four cases which were part of a known cluster, though no details were given.

Prof Lim said one of the three new cases announced in the latest bulletin is linked to this cluster, and epidemiological investigations are ongoing. “Given the global rise in measles cases, we expect to detect small clusters with limited spread occasionally,” said Prof Lim.

She reiterated that the risk of large outbreaks in the community remains low due to the high vaccination coverage and herd immunity among Singapore residents.

She did not respond to queries on details of the five cases in the measles cluster, including whether these cases have known contact with each other.

The enhanced measures by CDA imposed since April 1 include not allowing those working or studying in high-risk settings to return until they test negative for measles. Such settings include childcare centres with infants below a year of age, or healthcare facilities with medically vulnerable people.

CDA has stopped quarantining close contacts of those infected with measles if the close contacts are susceptible to infection, such as if they are unvaccinated or cannot produce evidence of immunity against measles. Instead, these close contacts have to undergo post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to reduce their risk of infection and prevent further transmission.

PEP treatments can be either the MMR vaccine, or immunoglobulin (an antibody solution) for those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons.

Close contacts will be subject to additional measures if they work or study in high-risk settings, which include placing them on leave of absence from the childcare centres or redeploying them to non-patient-facing roles in healthcare facilities. These measures will remain in place for up to 21 days from their last exposure to the infected person.

Measles, caused by the measles virus, is one of the most infectious diseases. It 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 for measles, and most people recover within two to three weeks. The most effective way of preventing measles infection is to be vaccinated.

CDA has said that it will closely monitor Singapore’s measles situation and adjust public health measures as it evolves, to prevent community transmission and maintain herd immunity.