NEARLY 9,000 CASES OF RARE BLACK FUNGUS INFECTION FOUND IN INDIA

Sun 23 May 2021:

India registered more than 8,800 cases of infection with life-threatening fungus, known as mucormycosis or black fungus, in the country, Sadananda Gowda, India’s minister of chemicals and fertilizers, reported on Sunday.

The normally rare infection, called mucormycosis, has a mortality rate of 50%, with some only saved by removing an eye.

But in recent months, India saw thousands of cases affecting recovered and recovering Covid-19 patients.

Doctors say there is a link with the steroids used to treat Covid. Diabetics are at particular risk.

Gowda tweeted, “After a detailed review of rising no. of cases of #Mucormycosis in various states, a total of 23680 additional vials of #Amphotericin-B [anti-fungal drug] have been allocated to all States/UTs today. The Allocation has been made based on total no. of patients, which is approx. 8848 across country.”

According to the data provided by the minister, the state with the largest number of the rare fungus infection is Gujarat with 2,281 cases, followed closely by Maharashtra with 2,000.

Other severely affected states include Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

“The black fungus infection has now become more challenging than Covid-19. If patients are not treated in time and properly, than the mortality rate can go up to 94%. The cost of treatment is expensive, and the drugs are in [short supply],” Dr VP Pandey, head of the hospital’s department of medicine said.

Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection with a mortality rate from 50% to 94%, depending on the stage. It can manifest after contacting fungal spores in the environment, or after the fungus enters the skin through a cut, scratch, or burn. People with diabetes and those with compromised immune system, including those recovering from COVID-19, are at a greater risk of getting the black fungus infection.

Indian Ambassador to Russia Venkatesh Varma said earlier that Indian doctors are in consultations with colleagues from Russia concerning possible methods of treating mucormycosis.

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