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SINGAPORE – Three children from a preschool in Newton were hospitalized after an outbreak of salmonella and stomach flu between their charges, ranging in age from 18 months to six years.
One of them was discharged on Tuesday (December 8), the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) said in a statement later that day.
His spokesperson also said he is working with the Ministry of Health on the case at Kiddiwinkie Schoolhouse @ Newton.
The cause of the outbreak has yet to be determined.
Earlier in the day, a school circular for parents viewed by The Straits Times said that as of Tuesday, there were four cases of salmonella and 18 cases of stomach flu.
The cases have been reported to the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), he added. The preschool also assured parents that the center will be disinfected daily.
[[nid:442045]]Eating food contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis bacteria can cause diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal cramps, commonly known as food poisoning.
A salmonella infection can be fatal to young children, the elderly, and people with impaired immune systems.
The stomach flu, on the other hand, is caused by the norovirus that inflames the stomach and intestines. Common symptoms include diarrhea or vomiting.
A 39-year-old mother, who declined to be named, said her two children are suffering from food poisoning.
Her four-year-old son had a fever and started vomiting last Friday (December 4). Her two-year-old son showed symptoms of fever and diarrhea the next day.
He knows at least 16 cases of food poisoning or stomach flu in preschool, including his children.
“There are five children who got sick in my condo, another 10 in a nearby condo and one more who is the son of my friend,” added the mother of two who works in the financial services sector.
Furthermore, he said he wished the preschool had shown greater urgency in disclosing the outbreak.
“The first circular was sent only on Monday (December 7), a few days after my children got sick. At first I thought that my son’s fever and lethargy were caused by the cold, but it was much more serious. I would have acted before I had found out about the outbreak, “he added.
[[nid:469596]]Another father who declined to be named said his three-year-old son contracted the stomach flu on Saturday (December 5).
“He had a fever above 39 degrees C, severe stomach pain and vomiting, so we took him to the hospital,” said the 43-year-old bank executive.
He said he knows seven children from different classes who have gotten sick.
“The school could have handled the outbreak more transparently … When I called them to understand the situation, they told me not to talk to other parents about it because they didn’t want to alarm them. But I think more parents need to know sooner so that they can protect their children, “he said.
When ST was at the school Tuesday afternoon, a woman who identified herself as his center manager declined to comment.
This article was first published in The times of the strait. Permission is required for reproduction.
