6 more sick workers medevaced out of Matthew’s Ridge

– 2 patients tested positive for Leptospirosis
– Matthew’s Ridge Hospital temporarily shuts down

Less than two days after eight workers from the Bosai manganese mining site in Matthew’s Ridge were air-dashed to the city experiencing a “mysterious” illness with severe symptoms similar to those of the H1N1 virus (swine flu); six others were flown out of the area on Monday.

It is believed that the six workers were exhibiting similar symptoms. Those who were air-dashed to the GPHC on Saturday last have been transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital in Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three) and are expected to remain in an isolated area.
Reports are that a medical team from the Mabaruma Hospital had been deployed to the Matthew’s Ridge area following reports that some persons were exhibiting signs and symptoms caused by contracting the deadly disease.
Although the results of the tests that have been conducted on the men so far are yet to be revealed, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence in a statement to the media on Saturday evening refuted claims that the H1N1 virus has led to the death of the Chinese national.
In light of these phenomena, operations at the Matthew’s Ridge Hospital, Region One (Barima-Waini), have been temporarily shut down and the medical staff are presently working out of the community centre in that area.

Guyana Times was told on Monday that this latest development is due to the recent situation at the Bosai manganese mines. However, this undiagnosed illness has already claimed the life of one individual.
A senior source told this newspaper that the Matthew’s Ridge Hospital has been evacuated to allow for fumigation of the facility since the medical staff are still to determine the cause of the sickness that the men experienced over the past week.
However, there is some treatment of patients being done at the hospital, the source related.
“It is somewhat like a quarantine tactic, because persons who have come into contact with those men, or may have done so are being treated there presently. However, other patients and the whole outpatient unit are at the community centre. This is to avoid persons from catching whatever those folks have been exposed to, and that’s good, because it is worrying that medical staff and the Ministry don’t even know what this is.”
Although the results of the tests that have been conducted on the men so far are yet to be revealed, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence stated that the public health specialists were still conducting “a battery of tests” to identify the virus blamed for the manganese miner’s death and the hospitalisation of eight others, including a solitary Guyanese who is an employee of the Guyana Manganese Inc (GMI) firm.
According to the statement, the Ministry noted that “there is no determination (as yet) of what the ailment is but all the patients displayed similar symptoms including pain, fever, headache and respiratory distress”.
However, days have passed and the Public Health Ministry is yet to conclude and publicise what the results of the tests are.
At about 14:30h on Saturday, four ambulances filled with medical staff who were all suited up with protective gear arrived at the Eugene F Correia International Airport to receive at least eight males who had been transported from Region One after it was suspected that they may be infected with the H1N1 virus, usually referred to as swine flu here in Guyana.
Some were seen coughing and needed assistance from the plane to the ambulances.
When contacted on Saturday afternoon, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud had said that it was too early to presume that the men have “swine flu, dengue, or any other deadly disease”.
“It would be crazy to say they have this or that because tests have to be conducted before any disclosure is made in this regard. What I can say is that we received reports that these men fell ill in that area (Region One) and they had to be brought to the GPHC. We are doing tests but have to wait on results before pronouncing and as soon as we know what they have we will let the public know,” he explained.
But even as the hospital is yet to diagnose the men, Regional Health Services (RHS) Director, Dr Kay Shako denied that the men are suffering from swine flu.
Meanwhile, the public health officials have ruled out swine flu (H1N1), the Zika virus, Chikungunya virus, dengue and influenza A and B as possible causes of the recent spate of illnesses and death in Mathews Ridge.
In an issued release to the media, it stated that thus far, there has been no evidence of person-to-person transmission of infection. It is noted that only persons who were directly exposed to one common area became ill.
As of Sunday, March 31, a response team comprising the EPA, Surveillance, EH, doctors and nurses were dispatched to Region One to support the efforts taken in the region to address the illnesses.
However, a decision was taken to transfer all the patients with acute respiratory illness, rash and fever to our tertiary institution, GPHC, where critical care can be provided should the need arise.
While the specialists continue to work on the seven patients admitted on Saturday, results have shown that two patients tested positive for Leptospirosis, which is known to be spread by direct contact with rat urine or faeces.
Further tests are being conducted locally and samples will be sent overseas with support from PAHO and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to get further tests done to rule out other possible infections.