New Delhi: Even as the Centre asks various state governments to declare mucormycosis or black fungus an epidemic amid the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a reason to worry as four cases of white fungus infection said to be more dangerous than black fungus have been reported from Patna, Bihar.


The white fungus infection, which is said to be more dangerous than black fungus infection, affects lungs besides other body parts, including mouth, kidney, brain, stomach, nails, skin and private parts.


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According to health experts, white fungus primarily infects the lungs and an infection similar to coronavirus is detected when HRCT is performed on the patient infected.


Meanwhile, the Centre has asked all the state governments to declare mucormycosis or black fungus an epidemic and list the infection under the “Epidemic Diseases Act”.


 


“In recent times a new challenge in the form of a fungal infection namely mucormycosis has emerged and is reported from many states among COVID-19 patients especially those on steroid therapy and deranged sugar control,” said Union Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal in a letter to the states, adding “this fungal infection is leading to prolonged morbidity and mortality among COVID-19 patients”.


The Joint Secretary further said its treatment needs a multi-disciplinary approach, which includes eye surgeons, ENT specialists, general surgeons, neurosurgeons, dental facial surgeons and a special anti-fungal medicine, Amphotericin.


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“All government and private health facilities and medical colleges have to follow guidelines for screening, diagnosis, management of mucormycosis,” he added.


Caused by a group of moulds called mucormycetes, Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection with symptoms such as face numbness, nose obstruction, swelling in the eye or cheeks and black dry crusts in the nose.


The cases of black fungus are being seen in some Covid patients, who were administered steroids to treat symptoms and particularly among those suffering from diabetes and cancer.