Tests on Guyana Manganese Inc. workers rule out possible swine flu, H1N1

─ investigations on manganese workers’ illnesses conclude

─ EPA, Occupational Health and Safety unit of the Ministry of Social Protection on board to prevent future occurrences 

DPI, Guyana, Monday, April 15, 2019

The investigation in the illnesses of several Guyana Manganese Incorporated (GMI) workers of Matthew’s Ridge has concluded. Subsequent tests, conducted in patients who fell ill, rule out the possibility of swine flu or H1N1 as a primary cause.

According to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, “all tests were negative for Influenza A & B, Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika. Even though reported we had two tests positive for leptospirosis… those were later found negative through confirmation from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) laboratory.”

During the investigation phase, blood, sputum and urine samples were collected from ill GMI workers. Testing for these samples was done at the local National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) with confirmation testing at CARPHA in Trinidad.

CARPHA has confirmed that five of the samples were tested for histoplasmosis, four of which were positive. Further, the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) China tested six additional persons, and five were positive for histoplasmosis.

Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by a fungus found in the droppings of birds and bats in humid areas. It is not serious if confined to the lungs but can be fatal if spread throughout the body. Common symptoms of this infection are like the flu and include fever, chills, shortness of breath etc.

The CMO added that “we had one person tested showing weak positive hantavirus, but this may have been because of past exposure to that germ.”

Upon initial reports of the illness of the GMI workers, it was speculated that they might have contracted swine flu or H1N1. However, the Ministry of Public Health, after learning of the situation, launched an immediate investigation to ascertain the cause of illness and contain the cases.

The report from the CMO on the conclusion of investigations noted that from April 8 to 10, 2019, Consultants from Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), a team from the Ministry of Public Health, nine officers from CDC China along with Dr. Persaud visited Matthew’s Ridge.

The visiting team met with company officials and conducted interviews with persons working in the four different tunnels. They also evaluated the work area and examined risk factors relating to environmental health, occupational safety and other health-related concerns in the work environment.

The Occupational Health and Safety unit of the Ministry of Social Protection’s Department of Labour is engaging GMI on enforcing and upkeeping safety practices and safeguards for employees. Also, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is looking into ensuring that GMI’s work in the hinterland conforms to national policies and standards.

This was done to ensure there is no future occurrence of such illnesses which resulted in the death of two Chinese nationals who were working in one of the tunnels. The Chinese, who were ill along with the remains of the two who succumbed to illnesses, have been airlifted to China for further tests to be conducted.

Delicia Haynes.

Images: Marceano Naraine.