South Fly women recovering after suspected river related illness

Rose Sapsi, of Gaima village, developed a severe skin reaction that spread across most of her body.. (Image: Supplied)

Two women from the Fly river area in the Fly Kiwai RLLG in the South Fly District of Western Province are recovering in Daru General Hospital after suffering severe skin reactions they believe were caused by contamination in the Fly River.

Rose Sapsi, 20, from Gaima Village and Kehama Thomas, 27, from U'uwo Village in the Kiwai Islands were admitted last weekend after developing intense swelling, itching and burning while making sago.

One woman was taken in from U'uwo Village and the other patient came in from Gaima Village along the Fly River area.

Both were referred from Teapopo Health Centre. Hospital staff confirm their condition is now improving and they are responding to treatment.

Speaking from her hospital bed, Sapsi described what happened.

"I went to the sago place at Abo last Thursday to make sago, that’s when this thing happened. While beating the sago I felt my body was itching and a burning feeling on my skin. It felt like fire was burning my skin and so I ran and jumped into the river but that did not help. My body started to swell in pain. My husband carried me to the canoe and paddled to the village then all the way to Teapopo Health Centre,"Sapsi said.

She said they were only treated with amoxicillin and Panadol but that did not help and so they were referred to Daru General Hospital.

Another patient, Kehama Thomas, also shared a similar encounter at U'uwo Village while she was beating sago.

Kehama Thomas from U'uwo village said she felt her skin itching while beating sago by the river. (Image: Supplied)

The women told NBC News that many other women along the Fly River are experiencing similar symptoms. They say the reactions started after contact with river water at their sago camps.

They are calling on the Western Provincial Health Authority and Ok Tedi Mining Limited to urgently investigate and test water sources in affected areas to prevent more cases.

NBC News is seeking comments from Ok Tedi Mining Limited.

The Western Provincial Health Authority has quickly confirmed that they will send a team to investigate the matter at Gaima village on Friday.

At this stage, health authorities have not confirmed the cause of the illness. However, water and medical testing has been requested.