An official at the Ministry of Public Health has confirmed that two of the patients who became ill at a manganese mining operation at Matthew’s Ridge recently, have been diagnosed with leptospirosis.

Reports are that tests are still being undertaken on the another five patients who were brought out of the North West District area on Saturday.

An additional six patients were medevaced to the city today for treatment via a Roraima Airways aircraft.

This newspaper was also reliably informed that the staff of the Pekera District Hospital at Matthew’s Ridge may return to the medical facility on Tuesday after they were relocated to a community centre following the outbreak.

The patients now total thirteen who have been brought to the city for treatment. On Saturday , seven patients were flown to the city for treatment from the area ; one of the men died on Saturday, several days after he was taken to the Pekera Hospital at Matthew’s Ridge.An autopsy is expected to be undertaken on his remains on Wednesday.

Reports are that the men were taken to the area from the town of Linden to work as labourers at the Manganese mines by their employer, BOSAI Minerals. They were working at one of four tunnels at the mining site called “Rail Ends.” The tunnels have been in existence since the 1970s when manganese was first mined at Matthew’s Ridge.

The men were exposed to mosquitoes while cleaning bat droppings from the tunnel, persons at community related.

In a media release issued on Sunday, the Ministry of Public Health indicated that as of Saturday evening medical specialists were still conducting “a battery of tests” to identify the virus blamed for the manganese miner’s death and the hospitalisation of others.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. In humans, it can cause a wide range of symptoms, some of which may be mistaken for other diseases.