The mysterious illness which had claimed four lives at Moruca and Port Kaituma in Region One (Barima/Waini), is still present, but there have been no deaths over the past eight days.

In a telephone interview with this newspaper, residents said several persons have continued to fall ill, complaining of feeling unwell and displaying symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting, along with severe headaches and stomach pains.

Residents at Moruca said that there had been no visit by any team from the Ministry of Health so far nor was any information on the matter released by the Ministry of Health.

“We really don’t know is what going on fuh sure. People just teking in sick and dying. It scary an nobody from the Ministry of Health ain’t telling we nothing,” one resident said.

According to initial reports reaching Stabroek News, two persons, 32-year-old Calvin Charlie and his 63-year-old mother, Helena Charlie, both of Moruca, died within a week of each other after suffering from the gastro-like illness.

Regional Chairman Fermin Singh had told Stabroek News that two other persons from Port Kaituma died following the same illness. He had lamented that persons were waiting too long to seek medical treatment as they preferred to stay at home and treat themselves.

Meanwhile, Vice-Chairman of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) of Port Kaituma, Richard Allen, related that some 15 persons were admitted to the hospital in that area, all suffering from dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhoea but they were all discharged.