42 People Sick, 4 Hospitalised After Wedding Banquet Meal

Recently, 42 people became sick with gastroenteritis after going to a wedding banquet at Mandarin Orchard Singapore on Sunday (Dec 2). Many of the affected people, including Counsellor Matthew Tjow’s family, had classic gastroenteritis symptoms, including stomach discomfort, vomiting, fever, dehydration and overall sleeplessness. Four guests have since been hospitalised. The Ministry of Health (MOH), National Environment Agency (NEA) and Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) announced in a joint statement on Wednesday (Dec 5) that investigations regarding the outbreak of gastroenteritis around the hotel’s premises begun on Tuesday (Dec 4). They have tracked the source to be the food prepared at Mandarin Orchard on Sunday, which the patients ate during the banquet. During the investigation, food handlers were told to screen their stools. Food and environmental samples were also obtained for testing. A representative of the hotel further added on Wednesday that hotel staff have contacted ill guests to provide support, assistance and see if they were coping. The hotel has fully cooperated with authorities in their analysis. They say that official findings should be announced soon. According to the representative, hotel staff who were involved in food preparation during the affected banquets were not allowed to return to work until they have finished the required medical tests and given the clear from authorities. This news comes after 131 people got sick with gastroenteritis, including K2 children and teachers, who were attending a learning camp organised by Busy Bees Asia.