17 children at Eunos preschool fall ill with gastroenteritis, govt investigating

17 children and two staff members at the MapleBear preschool in Eunos have fallen sick with gastroenteritis since Mar. 10.

None were hospitalised and all are recovering.

The government is investigating the cases, said the Communicable Diseases Agency, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), and the Singapore Food Agency in a joint statement on Mar. 14.

ECDA said that it is monitoring the situation closely and working with the preschool operator to ensure the well-being of all children and staff.

Viral, not food poisoning: MapleBear

The preschool told CNA that the sickness was due to a "viral infection" and involved "a small number of children".

It denied that the illnesses were due to food poisoning involving an external supplier.

"All health and safety protocols were followed — including involving ECDA — and, as no new cases occurred, the centre returned to their regular activities," MapleBear said.

CNA also reported that SATS Catering confirmed it had supplied 96 lunch meals to MapleBear Eunos on Mar. 11.

This was part of a larger batch of 2,188 meals, that were also served at other schools, a spokesperson said.

"To date, we have not received reports of any issues with the meals from other schools."

The caterer added that the students also ate snacks, including cheese sandwiches during teatime, that were not prepared by them.

Food samples from the batch are currently undergoing lab testing, it said.

Top image from MapleBear website