Black Fungus cases rising in Gujarat, govt sets up separate wards

The number of cases of Black Fungus or mucormycosis is rising in Gujarat. The state government has set up separate wards in civil hospitals for these patients and ordered 5,000 Amphotericin-B injections to treat them.

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Black Fungus cases rising in Gujarat, govt sets up separate wards
The Gujarat government has set up separate wards for mucormycosis cases in all civil hospitals in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Bhavnagar and Jamnagar. (File photo for representational purpose)

Taking note of the rising number of cases of mucormycosis, a fungal infection commonly known as 'Black Fungus', the Gujarat government has ordered 5,000 Amphotericin-B injections worth Rs 3.12 crore for treating the patients.

The number of mucormycosis patients in the state has now crossed the 100-mark.

The government has also set up separate dedicated wards for mucormycosis cases in all civil hospitals in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Bhavnagar and Jamnagar districts.

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On Friday, India Today reported that at least eight people have lost their eyesight in Gujarat's Surat district due to mucormycosis after recovering from Covid-19. In the last fortnight, Surat has reported at least 40 cases of mucormycosis.

ALSO READ | Black fungus detected in Covid-19 survivors, 8 lose eyesight in Surat

The infection, triggered by Covid-19, is treatable but if left untreated or if the treatment is delayed, the condition can lead to the loss of vision, and in some cases increase death.

WHAT IS MUCORMYCOSIS?

According to the US Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), mucormycosis or black fungus is a rare fungal infection. It is a serious infection caused by a group of molds or fungi called mucormycetes. These molds live throughout the environment.

It most commonly affects the sinuses or the lungs after inhaling fungal spores from the air. It can also occur on the skin after a cut, burn, or other type of skin injury.

8 DEATHS REPORTED IN MAHARASHTRA

In the neighbouring state of Maharashtra, at least eight Covid-19 survivors have died due to mucormycosis during treatment, news agency PTI reported quoting a senior official, adding that around 200 patients are currently being treated in the state.

According to Dr Tatyarao Lahane, who heads the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), cases of mucormycosis are on the rise.

ALSO READ | Covid-induced ‘black fungus’ cases on the rise in Delhi hospitals

"Eight out of 200 such patients treated so far in various parts of the state have died due to mucormycosis, also known as a black fungus. They survived Covid-19 infection but the fungal infection attacked their weak immune system which proved fatal," Dr Lahane said.

Addressing a Union health ministry press briefing on Friday, Niti Aayog Member (Health) Dr VK Paul said mucormycosis is caused by a fungus named mucor, which is found on wet surfaces.

He had also said when the same Covid-19 patient is put on oxygen support, which has a humidifier containing water, the chances of him or her getting the fungal infection increase.

(With PTI inputs)

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