Highlights
‘Black fungus’ is a rare fungal infection among COVID-19 patients
This rare fungal infection is being referred to as ‘Black fungus’ or ‘mucormycosis’ in medical parlance
It is caused by a fungus named mucor, which is found on wet surfaces
NEW DELHI: Among the second wave of the coronavirus, reports of a rare fungal infection among the COVID-19 patients in India have come to the fore now. This rare fungal infection is being referred to as ‘Black fungus’ or ‘mucormycosis’ in medical parlance.
It is caused by a fungus named mucor, which is found on wet surfaces. Cases of mucormycosis are rapidly rising among COVID-19 survivors, causing blindness or serious illness and even death in some cases, health officials have warned.
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Highlights
The situation is being monitored and the treatment for mucormycosis is available, Niti Aayog Member V K Paul said. There is no big outbreak and we are monitoring it, Paul said.
He said secondary infection, thrombosis (blood clotting) and severe pneumonia are some of the main reasons for post-COVID deaths.
New Delhi: Mucormycosis, a fungal infection, is being found in COVID-19 patients and largely in cases of those who are diabetic but there is no big outbreak , Niti Aayog Member (Health) V K Paul said on Friday.
The situation is being monitored and the treatment for mucormycosis is available, he said.
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.
No big outbreak of Covid-triggered black fungus infection: NITI Aayog member V K Paul
Addressing a press conference, Paul said the fungal infection called mucormycosis, to a large extent, is happening to people with diabetes. It is very uncommon in those who are not diabetic
PTI | May 8, 2021 | Updated 12:49 IST
Mucormycosis, a fungal infection, is being found in Covid-19 patients and largely in cases of those who are diabetic but there is no big outbreak , Niti Aayog Member (Health) V K Paul said on Friday. The situation is being monitored and the treatment for mucormycosis is available, he said. This comes a day after a leading private hospital in Delhi flagged the rising number of Covid-triggered mucormycosis or black fungus cases.
No big outbreak of Covid-triggered black fungus infection, says NITI Aayog member V K Paul No big outbreak of Covid-triggered black fungus infection, says NITI Aayog member V K Paul
In response to reports of mucormycosis, or black fungus, among Covid-19 patients, Niti Aayog (Health) Member VK Paul said on Friday that the infection only affects diabetic patients and that there is no big outbreak.
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UPDATED: May 8, 2021 00:18 IST
Niti Aayog Member (Health) V K Paul addresses at a press conference in New Delhi on Friday (File Photo)
Mucormycosis, a fungal infection, is being found in Covid-19 patients and largely in cases of those who are diabetic but there is no big outbreak , Niti Aayog Member (Health) V K Paul said on Friday.