SINGAPORE – A surge of patients with stomach inflammation has prompted the closure of Pek Kio Market and Food Centre for two days starting on Wednesday (May 25), and it will re-open on May 27.
As of Monday (May 23), more than 180 cases of gastroenteritis – inflammation of the stomach and intestines – have been reported, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a statement.
Authorities were first alerted of an unusual increase in the number of cases of gastroenteritis by a general practitioner at Owen Road on May 19, the joint statement by MOH, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), National Environment Agency (NEA), and Public Utilities Board (PUB) revealed.
Further investigations found that other clinics in the area had experienced a similar increase.
“In all, more than 180 cases had sought medical treatment for symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain in the past week,” the statement read.
The patients typically recovered within a few days. However, seven patients were warded at Tan Tock Seng Hospital for observation, and all of them are recovering well.
Through their investigations, authorities linked the patients to the Owen Road cluster.
“Many of them had also patronised the Pek Kio Market and Food Centre, although the investigations did not identify any specific food stall that could be the source of the reported cases,” the statement added.
A thorough cleaning of Pek Kio Market and Food Centre will be conducted during the two days of closure.
grongloh@sph.com.sg
