SINGAPORE, April 4 -- Singapore has confirmed its first locally transmitted mpox cases, including infections from the more severe clade 1b strain, health authorities said, raising vigilance but stressing that the wider public risk remains low.

The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said on Thursday that the two cases - men aged 30 and 34 - are the first reported locally acquired infections and the country's first involving the clade 1b variant.

Both are believed to have been infected through sexual contact and are in stable condition.

"As mpox is predominantly transmitted through intimate or prolonged physical contact, including sexual contact, the risk to the general public is currently low," the CDA said in a statement.

The 30-year-...