Via the Times of India: Covid-induced black fungus cases on rise in Maha, Gujarat: How deadly is it? Excerpt:
New Delhi: At least eight COVID-19 patients have lost vision in one eye due to mucormycosis, a rare and deadly fungal infection which has a mortality rate of over 50%.
The cases of mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, are on the rise in Maharashtra and Gujarat during the second wave of the pandemic.
Dr. Tatyarao Lahane, who heads the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), told PTI that cases of mucormycosis are on the rise and 200 patients are being treated in Maharashtra alone.
Here's all you need to know about this deadly infection...
What is mucormycosis?
It is a type of serious fungal infection that occurs most often in people with weakened immunity from an illness or chronic health condition.
Niti Aayog Member (Health) V K Paul had said that mucormycosis is caused by a fungus named mucor, which is found on wet surfaces.
Why are Covid survivors vulnerable to the infection?
In pre-Covid times, the ‘black fungus’ mucormycosis used to be rare and seen mainly in immunocompromised people. However, after the pandemic, three factors have led to an exponential rise — Covid itself, diabetes and abuse of steroids that lower immunity.
Dr Lahane said the fungal disease is already known but the cases are increasing because of Covid-19 related complications, wherein the use of steroids elevates the sugar level in blood while some medicines result in suppression of immunity of patients.
"In such a scenario, the black fungus infects the patient easily and spreads. If the fungus reaches the brain of the infected person, it can prove fatal. In one such case, one of the eyes of a patient had to be removed permanently to save his life," he said.
He said that Covid-19 patients with co-morbidities are also vulnerable and can catch the infection early.
What are the symptoms caused by the infection?
The infection typically starts growing from the nose, upper jaw and travels to the brain. Pain under the eyes, one-sided facial swelling, headache, fever, nasal or sinus congestion, black lesions on nasal bridge and partial vision loss are some of the common symptoms.
"Once it reaches the brain, it's almost a death sentence," a Mumbai-based doctor said.
