17 children and 2 employees from pre-school in MacPherson fall sick with suspected food poisoning

Seventeen students and two staff from E-Bridge Pre-School's Circuit Road branch have come down with what is suspected to be food poisoning. 

They started showing symptoms of gastroenteritis from Sept 9, said the Communicable Diseases Agency, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) in a joint statement on Sunday (Sept 14).

Gastroenteritis refers to the inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It is often caused by infections from bacteria, parasites or viruses in contaminated food, water or surfaces and results in symptoms like fever, vomiting as well as abdominal pain.

No one was hospitalised and the case is being investigated, the statement said.

ECDA is monitoring the situation and working with the pre-school operator to ensure pupil and staff wellbeing. It has also reminded the pre-school to comply with infection prevention and control guidelines.

"Pre-schools are required to adhere to the food safety and hygiene requirements specified in the Early Childhood Development Centres Code of Practice," said the statement.

SFA has also been working closely with ECDA to reinforce good food safety practices in pre-schools.

The agency said food operators must play their part by adhering to good food safety practices, adding that it will not hesitate to take enforcement action against errant operators.

8 of the affected students back in school

Responding to AsiaOne's queries, E-Bridge Pre-School said that several of those affected were diagnosed with viral or suspected gastroenteritis upon seeking medical attention.

As of Monday, eight of the children have returned to school while the rest are recovering at home. No one has been hospitalised, it said.

Explaining that the centre had implemented precautionary measures immediately, E-Bridge Pre-School said that symptomatic children were cared for in the sick bay and promptly sent home.

Affected classrooms and common areas were disinfected using a diluted bleach solution, and cleaning frequency across the centre was increased.

The school also said it engaged a professional cleaning agency to conduct a thorough deep cleaning of the entire centre on the evening of Sept 11.

It informed all families with children enrolled at the centre of the situation, including those in non-affected classes. Parents of affected children were individually contacted, and teachers continue to check in daily with families whose children are absent.

"At present, the cause of the cases remains unconfirmed. We are monitoring the situation closely and our centre continues to provide timely updates to the relevant authorities, including ECDA and MOH (Ministry of Health), as well as to parents," said the school.

"The health and safety of our children and staff remain our top priority."

The pre-school operator is part of the EtonHouse International Education Group and has over 20 centres islandwide.

Food poisoning cases seen at two other pre-schools in August

This comes after two food poisoning cases were reported at pre-schools in August.

On Aug 23, 24 children and two employees at PCF Sparkletots pre-school, Mountbatten Block 92 were struck by food poisoning. Those affected recovered and returned on Aug 26.

Four days later, on Aug 27, 17 pre-schoolers and one centre employee at Mulberry Learning's Punggol centre in Northshore Plaza were reported to have developed gastroenteritis symptoms, with two children hospitalised.

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bhavya.rawat@asiaone.com