SINGAPORE, Oct. 5 -- At least 44 people, including 34 children, have fallen ill with symptoms of gastroenteritis across two branches of the E-Bridge Pre-School chain in Singapore, The Straits Times reported yesterday.

Health authorities said one pupil was hospitalised for a day, and investigations are underway to determine if the outbreaks are linked.

According to a joint statement by the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA), Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and Singapore Food Agency (SFA), the first cluster was detected at E-Bridge Pre-School in Dawson Road, where 20 pupils and four staff members reported symptoms between September 18 and October 1.

A second cluster was found at the Sengkang Square branch, affecting 14 children...