Over the past few days, we\u2019ve been reading a lot of reports of a rare but fatal fungal infection that is being detected amongst Covid survivors and recovering Covid patients. The disease, known as mucormycosis and colloquially as \u201cblack fungus\u201d, often manifests in the skin and also affects the lungs and the brain. Let\u2019s look into the details of this fungal disease which may turn fatal if not taken care of well enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although rare, mucormycosis is a serious infection. It is caused by a group of moulds known as mucormycetes present naturally in the environment. It mainly affects people who are on medication for health problems that reduce their ability to fight environmental pathogens, say experts from the Covid-19 task force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It primarily affects the sinuses, the brain, and the lungs and can be life-threatening in diabetic or severely immunocompromised individuals, such as cancer patients or people with HIV\/AIDS. Experts believe mucormycosis, which has an overall mortality rate of 50%, maybe being triggered by the use of steroids for severe and critically ill Covid-19 patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sri Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi reported at least six cases of mucormycosis infection on 6 May. Two days later on 8 May, Maharashtra reported that 200 such patients were being treated in the state. In Gujarat which has at least 100 reported cases of mucormycosis as of now, the state government has announced separate wards in Covid hospitals to treat such patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While cases are on the rise, there has been no major outbreak. Niti Aayog member Dr. V K Paul said at a media briefing that there has been no major outbreak and they were monitoring cases being reported. However, with several mucormycosis cases detected in Delhi, Maharashtra and Gujarat, experts in the national Covid-19 task force on Sunday issued an evidence-based advisory on the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n