An increasing number of black fungus cases are being reported across India with deaths being reported in multiple states as the deadly Covid wave sweeps the country.
There have been 10 reported deaths, eight in Maharashtra’s Thane and two in Madhya Pradesh, due to the fungal infection, but doctors say there could be more deaths tied to the infection.
The cases of mucormycosis, a rare but dangerous fungal infection, have been reported in the Indian states of Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Odisha and several others.
Mucormycosis can be caused by mucor moulds which are found in soil, plants, manure and even contaminated air or water.
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[COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)]“Mucormycosis is a ferocious fungus and usually fatal if left unattended for one to three days,” Dr Anchal Gupta, senior eye surgeon at Netram Eye Foundation in Delhi, told The Independent.
The disease can lead to permanent loss of vision, hemiparesis, destruction of facial structures and even death in some cases, she said.
Doctors believe mucormycosis can be induced in the Covid patients by the over use of steroids, a life-saving treatment for critically ill Covid-19 patients.
It can also be triggered in severely immunocompromised individuals or acquired in hospitals through ventilation systems in ICUs.
Dr Gaurav Kumar of Ram Manohar Lohia hospital told The Independent that mucormycosis is emerging as a significant challenge for doctors in the second wave of Covid-19 and the case of fungal infection is rising as the cases of coronavirus are surging.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/india-reports-deaths-due-covid-160323153.html