24 children at Little Seeds Preschool branch ill with food poisoning symptoms, 7 hospitalised

A total of 24 children at the Little Seeds Preschool branch within Calvary Baptist Church at Wan Tho Avenue have fallen ill with gastroenteritis symptoms.

Of the 24, seven were hospitalised, according to a joint statement by the Ministry of Health (MOH), Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) on Dec. 2 in response to media queries.

Four of them have already been discharged from hospital.

The other three are in stable condition, CNA reported.

Separately, Anglican Preschool Services (APS), which oversees the branch, said three of the children were confirmed to have salmonella.

It was not reported if the three children with salmonella were among those hospitalised.

Salmonella is a type of bacteria which is naturally present in the intestines of animals and can be found on food such as raw meat, raw dairy products, poultry and eggs, according to SFA's website.

The bacteria can be spread to humans through the consumption of contaminated food and drinks.

Symptoms include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting, which are consistent with food poisoning effects.

All group activities discontinued at the school

APS added that the preschool is currently monitoring the status of the affected children, by making calls to check on their well-being and being in close communication with the children's parents.

Preschool staff will also visit the hospitalised children to provide care and support.

In addition, the preschool has been keeping parents informed of updates and developments to the investigation and is working closely MOH and ECDA.

Within the preschool, all communal activities were discontinued from Nov. 26, with children having to remain in their own classes.

In addition, masks were made compulsory for school staff and children who are pre-school or older.

The preschool has also temporarily closed its kitchen, with food for the children served by catering.

Hygiene measures have also been stepped up, including the cleaning and disinfection of the preschool's premises, along with an increase in the frequency of handwashing.

APS said:

"The school has reminded parents of our policy that children exhibiting any symptoms of being unwell are not allowed to attend school. Visual and temperature health checks continued to be conducted before children entered school premises."

Mothership has reached out to both SFA and APS for additional information on the incident.

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