As the Ministry of Public Health seeks to diagnose the illness that led to the death of a Guyana Manganese Incorporated (GMI) worker and the hospitalisation of 13 others, samples taken from them have been sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for additional tests.
Junior Public Health Minister Dr Karen Cummings last night confirmed to Stabroek News that the samples were sent to CARPHA yesterday.
After ruling out the Swine Flu strain of the H1N1 virus, Zika, Chikungunya, Dengue, and Influenza A and B, the ministry on Monday had said that more tests would be done locally and that samples would be sent overseas with the support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and CARPHA to conduct additional tests to rule out other possible infections.
None of the 13 hospitalised miners, Cummings noted, have been discharged as she explained that they are still being evaluated. She said those who were not critical were transported to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where they are being monitored. Those who were in a critical state, she added, were kept at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).
Eight of the miners reportedly fell ill during the course of last week and were admitted to the Pakera District Hospital in Region One with fever, headaches, joint pain, mild shortness of breath, unstable vital signs and moderate to severe respiratory syndrome. One subsequently died.
Two of the eight men were diagnosed with leptospirosis following a battery of tests.
On Monday, an additional six workers were air-dashed to the city for medical observation. The employees, who comprise five Chinese nationals and one Guyanese and were exposed to the infectious area, were brought to the city after it was recommended that they seek medical attention.
A Ministry of Public Health statement issued on Monday disclosed that only persons who were directly exposed to one area became ill. As a result of the finding GMI, was advised to halt operations until further notice from the Health Ministry and the Occupational Health and Safety Department of the Ministry of Social Protection.
Stabroek News was told that tunnels at the mines had been closed since 1961 and were reopened on March 19th. A total of 15 employees were working in the mines at the time.
A source from the region told this newspaper that the employees were doing mine work without any respiratory safety gear.
The Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud had said a “respiratory ailment” was to blame for the death and hospitalisation of the GMI workers, in a statement on Saturday.
Stabroek News yesterday made numerous attempts to contact the mining company using the telephone number provided on the company’s website but these efforts were futile.
