One of the quarantined Guyana Manganese Inc (GMI) miners, who was diagnosed with leptospirosis, succumbed yesterday at the Georgetown Public Hospital after being critically ill for days.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle told Stabroek News that the miner, who is a Chinese national, died yesterday morning at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH). The other miner diagnosed with leptospirosis remains hospitalised and his condition is said to be critical. He is being monitored and evaluated by an internal medicine specialist at the GPH.
The death brings the death toll to two since two sets of GMI workers were hospitalised after falling ill.
A press statement from the Ministry of Public Health, which confirmed the death of the miner, also said yesterday that two of the 13 persons who were admitted for medical attention at the GPH were discharged yesterday.
It said the GPH successfully treated and discharged two Chinese nationals made ill by an outbreak of infectious disease at the GMI-owned tunnel in Matthews Ridge, in Region One (Barima/Waini).
The other hospitalised patients are said to be in stable condition, Dr Gordon-Boyle told this newspaper.
Nonetheless, Regional Health Officer of Region One Dr Vishal Ramjas informed that another GMI employee was admitted at the Pakera Hospital and is undergoing treatment for “a respiratory tract infection.” That patient is also in a stable condition, Dr Ramjas said.
Chief Medical Director at Ministry of Public Dr Shamdeo Persaud reiterated that “all precautionary measures are still in place at the Matthews Ridge tunnel site and the immediate surroundings and essential medical supplies are in stock to treat employees of the mining firm and residents of the area.
Since last week’s outbreak, the health ministry said that the area has been deemed a “Red Zone” and “no one is allowed to enter the site.”
Last Saturday, seven miners were air-dashed to the GPH after experiencing similar flu like symptoms which led to the death of a colleague.
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. An additional six employees from the company were also air-dashed to the GPH on Monday in a move health officials described as a precaution. 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, Dr Gordon-Boyle had told this publication.
The ministry had said on Monday that tests conducted on the first set of employees ruled out the Swine Flu strain of the H1N1 virus, Zika, Chikungunya, Dengue, and Influenza A and B as the cause of the illness that has befallen the miners. However, it noted that two of the patients had tested positive for Leptospirosis, which is known to be spread through direct contact with infected animal urine or faeces.
Samples taken from the patients were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for additional tests, Junior Public Health Minister Dr Karen Cummings has said. The ministry is still awaiting the results from those tests.
Stabroek News was told that tunnels at the mines had been closed since 1961 and were reopened on March 19th. A total of 15 GMI employees were working in the area at the time.
A source from the region told this newspaper that the employees were doing mine work without any respiratory safety gear.
Stabroek News yesterday again made numerous attempts to contact the mining company but these efforts were futile.
