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TB screenings at two pre-schools after staff member diagnosed in July
www.straitstimes.com
Published Aug 13, 2025, 11:30 PM
Updated Aug 14, 2025, 12:11 AM
SINGAPORE - Tuberculosis (TB) screenings will be conducted at two pre-schools after an individual working at both locations was found to have been diagnosed with the bacterial disease, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) has said.
In response to queries, CDA said on Aug 13 it was notified on July 15 of the positive diagnosis of a staff member who worked at MapleBear Toa Payoh and MindChamps PreSchool’s East Coast branch.
It then began contact tracing to “ensure early detection and treatment, and to curtail the spread of TB”, the agency said, adding that it conducted a site visit to determine which individuals were required to undergo screenings.
For this particular case, CDA said only those found to have “close and prolonged” contact with the staff member would have to be screened.
They include both children and staff members. An onsite screening at MindChamps PreSchool was carried out on Aug 13, while a separate one for MapleBear Toa Payoh has been scheduled for Aug 15.
CDA said there is a gap between exposure to the staff member and the screenings because it can take several weeks for the body to develop a detectable immune response.
A second round of screenings slated for mid-September will be carried out at MapleBear Toa Payoh, 10 weeks after the date of the last exposure to the affected staff member.
The agency said this is in line with national and international guidelines and would help to identify infected individuals who may not have been picked out during the first screening.
MindChamps PreSchool’s East Coast branch, however, will be put through only one screening because of the difference in exposure periods, CDA added.
On the status of the affected staff member, CDA said the person is recovering well and currently non-infectious. The staff member is also continuing to receive treatment.
Those with active cases of TB are usually non-infectious within two weeks upon being treated, it said, adding that the disease is endemic in Singapore.
A disease that is endemic is one that remains permanently in the community.
“TB is curable and its spread is preventable. People with latent TB do not have symptoms and cannot spread tuberculosis to others,” said CDA.
“Parents of children identified as close contacts should follow instructions for screening for their children and, if needed, treatment.”
It added: “The child is safe to continue with normal activities unless advised otherwise. Their household members, who are not identified as close contacts, do not need to take any special precautions.”
As for those who require preventive medication to reduce the risk of developing tuberculosis, CDA said it will arrange appointments and chest X-rays at the National TB Screening Centre for them.
A spokesperson for the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) said it was notified on July 17 about the TB diagnosis.
The spokesperson said that when there is any known or suspected case of the disease, pre-schools are required to promptly inform ECDA, parents and CDA.
The pre-schools will also need to implement hygiene, cleaning and disinfection measures.
The spokesperson added that as part of regular health surveillance protocols, pre-schools also carry out daily temperature and health checks on all children, staff and visitors as soon as they arrive.
They are also not supposed to admit any individuals who are unwell or display symptoms of infectious diseases.
The Straits Times has contacted both the affected pre-schools for more information.
The last time a TB screening was reported as having been conducted at a pre-school was in 2019, after an individual at a
PAP Community Foundation (PCF) Sparkletots
in Bukit Batok was diagnosed with the disease.
www.straitstimes.com
Published Aug 13, 2025, 11:30 PM
Updated Aug 14, 2025, 12:11 AM
SINGAPORE - Tuberculosis (TB) screenings will be conducted at two pre-schools after an individual working at both locations was found to have been diagnosed with the bacterial disease, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) has said.
In response to queries, CDA said on Aug 13 it was notified on July 15 of the positive diagnosis of a staff member who worked at MapleBear Toa Payoh and MindChamps PreSchool’s East Coast branch.
It then began contact tracing to “ensure early detection and treatment, and to curtail the spread of TB”, the agency said, adding that it conducted a site visit to determine which individuals were required to undergo screenings.
For this particular case, CDA said only those found to have “close and prolonged” contact with the staff member would have to be screened.
They include both children and staff members. An onsite screening at MindChamps PreSchool was carried out on Aug 13, while a separate one for MapleBear Toa Payoh has been scheduled for Aug 15.
CDA said there is a gap between exposure to the staff member and the screenings because it can take several weeks for the body to develop a detectable immune response.
A second round of screenings slated for mid-September will be carried out at MapleBear Toa Payoh, 10 weeks after the date of the last exposure to the affected staff member.
The agency said this is in line with national and international guidelines and would help to identify infected individuals who may not have been picked out during the first screening.
MindChamps PreSchool’s East Coast branch, however, will be put through only one screening because of the difference in exposure periods, CDA added.
On the status of the affected staff member, CDA said the person is recovering well and currently non-infectious. The staff member is also continuing to receive treatment.
Those with active cases of TB are usually non-infectious within two weeks upon being treated, it said, adding that the disease is endemic in Singapore.
A disease that is endemic is one that remains permanently in the community.
“TB is curable and its spread is preventable. People with latent TB do not have symptoms and cannot spread tuberculosis to others,” said CDA.
“Parents of children identified as close contacts should follow instructions for screening for their children and, if needed, treatment.”
It added: “The child is safe to continue with normal activities unless advised otherwise. Their household members, who are not identified as close contacts, do not need to take any special precautions.”
As for those who require preventive medication to reduce the risk of developing tuberculosis, CDA said it will arrange appointments and chest X-rays at the National TB Screening Centre for them.
A spokesperson for the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) said it was notified on July 17 about the TB diagnosis.
The spokesperson said that when there is any known or suspected case of the disease, pre-schools are required to promptly inform ECDA, parents and CDA.
The pre-schools will also need to implement hygiene, cleaning and disinfection measures.
The spokesperson added that as part of regular health surveillance protocols, pre-schools also carry out daily temperature and health checks on all children, staff and visitors as soon as they arrive.
They are also not supposed to admit any individuals who are unwell or display symptoms of infectious diseases.
The Straits Times has contacted both the affected pre-schools for more information.
The last time a TB screening was reported as having been conducted at a pre-school was in 2019, after an individual at a
PAP Community Foundation (PCF) Sparkletots
in Bukit Batok was diagnosed with the disease.
