SINGAPORE, Oct 5 — At least 44 people, including 34 children, have fallen ill with symptoms of gastroenteritis across two branches of the E-Bridge Pre-School chain in Singapore, The Straits Times reported yesterday.
Health authorities said one pupil was hospitalised for a day, and investigations are underway to determine if the outbreaks are linked.
According to a joint statement by the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA), Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and Singapore Food Agency (SFA), the first cluster was detected at E-Bridge Pre-School in Dawson Road, where 20 pupils and four staff members reported symptoms between September 18 and October 1.
A second cluster was found at the Sengkang Square branch, affecting 14 children and six employees between September 24 and October 1.
Preliminary tests point to norovirus — a highly contagious virus known to cause stomach flu — as the likely cause. It spreads easily through contact with infected individuals, contaminated food or water, and even tainted surfaces.
The agencies said most affected children and staff have since recovered, and the remainder are “recovering well”.
Both centres have been disinfected, with additional precautions introduced, including hourly cleaning of high-touch areas and stricter handwashing routines.
E-Bridge Pre-School, which operates 28 outlets across Singapore, said it was “fully supporting the investigations” and noted that meals at its Dawson Road and Sengkang Square branches are prepared in separate kitchens.
The ECDA said it continues to monitor the situation closely and has reminded operators to comply with infection-control and food-safety regulations.
Parents have also been urged to keep unwell children at home until they recover fully, inform schools of any infectious illnesses, and reinforce good hygiene habits at home.
The latest incidents follow a similar outbreak in September at E-Bridge’s Circuit Road branch, where 17 children and two staff members were affected.
