Toxins from decaying worms are believed to have been responsible for an outbreak of gastroenteritis in the Upper Mazaruni community of Chinoweing in November last year.
Two high-level medical teams are expected to depart for the community today to update residents on the results of tests on samples taken from persons after the community had complained of an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting.
Residents in the area had reported the presence of dead fish in the waterways in the community within the past several months and this had been reported in Stabroek News. Some had speculated that mining pollution was responsible for this.
According to a release issued by the Health Ministry yesterday, the results of the tests of stool and blood samples taken from persons in the area indicated that “no significant gastrointestinal pathogen was detected from the stool sample and that one blood sample was positive for Hepatitis and two for Dengue”. It was noted that treatment and advice were provided to residents during a visit by a health team soon after the situation was reported in the media.
The ministry stated that it has concluded that the outbreak was caused by toxins released in the water by dead and decaying worms which the Yarrow fish may have eaten and which in turn were consumed by residents. The fish is a staple among residents of the community.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud will lead a team of medical personnel and a team comprising representatives of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Regional Health Services to meet with residents.
The release stated that on noticing the presence of dead fish and an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis in November last year in the community, the ministry had dispatched a team to investigate the reports. Dr Ashok Persaud led the team which included a medical officer, laboratory technician and a surveillance officer while local officials on the ground there assisted the team in their investigations.
The ministry noted that 110 persons were treated and of that total, 15 persons (8 males and 7 females) all above the age of 5 years were found to have experienced symptoms associated with gastroenteritis. Treatment was administered and all the persons had recovered from the ailment before the team departed the area on November 8, four days later.
The release stated too that 11 persons had consumed water from the nearby Haieka River or the Mazaruni River while eight persons related that they ate the yarrow fish. The team collected 26 stool samples and 44 blood samples from persons in the area and these were brought to the city for testing. The ministry stated that the community was advised not to consume fish found dead in the rivers.
Over the next few days, the teams visiting the area will update residents on their findings and will conduct additional educational/ awareness sessions. They will also visit the surrounding communities of Kamarang, Jawalla, Phillipai, Quebanang, Waramadong and Kako.
It was noted by the ministry that the agency in conjunction with the toshaos and village leaders of the communities in the area, will simultaneously host medical outreach activities and seek to address issues affecting the residents of the communities in the region.
