Singapore investigates gastroenteritis outbreak affecting 147 students at North View Primary School

SINGAPORE: Authorities in Singapore are investigating 147 cases of gastroenteritis involving students from North View Primary School, following reports of illness across all levels of the school. Symptoms were first reported on 13 January 2026, according to a joint statement issued on 19 January 2026.

The statement was released by the school, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) in response to media queries. It said most affected students had recovered as of 18 January 2026.

One student was hospitalised on 17 January 2026 and was discharged the following day in stable condition. The agencies said there were no further complications reported at the time of the update.

North View Primary School, located at 210 Yishun Avenue 6, has been in contact with affected students and their parents. The school said it would continue to monitor students’ well-being closely.

The school not among 13 schools adopted the new central kitchen meal model

The school is working with SFA and CDA to investigate the incident and identify the cause of the outbreak. According to the joint statement, investigations are ongoing and have not yet determined a specific source.

As a precaution, the school has implemented additional measures. These include cleaning and sanitising all classrooms and common areas, and minimising whole-school gatherings to reduce the risk of further transmission.

Students have also been reminded to practise good personal hygiene and to remain at home if they are unwell.

The agencies said these steps were taken to safeguard students and staff while investigations continue.

North View Primary School is not among the 13 schools that adopted the new Central Kitchen Meal Model (CKMM) earlier in January 2026, the statement clarified. Food at the school is supplied through individual canteen stalls rather than a single caterer.

School assures parents illnesses were not believed to be linked to a specific food source

Separately, Mothership reported that a circular sent to parents described an “unusually high” number of unwell students in a particular cohort. The symptoms cited included vomiting, fever, stomach upset and diarrhoea, according to the report by Mothership.

The circular noted that students had consumed food from different canteen stalls. Based on this, the school assured parents that the illnesses were not believed to be linked to a specific food source, Mothership reported.

Second major gastroenteritis incident at primary school within the past week

The North View Primary School incident is the second major gastroenteritis cluster reported at a primary school within the past week. Authorities are separately investigating 60 cases involving students from River Valley Primary School.

At River Valley Primary School, affected students began reporting symptoms from 14 January 2026. That school operates under the new Central Kitchen Meal Model (CKMM), which was introduced to address a shortage of canteen stall vendors.

Under the CKMM, a single caterer supplies meals to the school instead of multiple individual stallholders. River Valley Primary School’s canteen is operated by catering company Gourmetz.

Gourmetz is also the appointed food supplier for several other schools, including CHIJ (Kellock), Radin Mas Primary School, Blangah Rise Primary School and Outram Secondary School.