New Delhi: As India continues to grapple with the sudden outbreak of Coronavirus-triggered black fungus infection, also known as mucormycosis, the government has now directed states and union territories to declare the fungal disease as epidemic and list it under the “Epidemic Diseases Act”.
Black fungus usually damages a patient's nose, eyes, sinuses, and sometimes even the brain.
As of Saturday, India has reported approximately cases of 8,848 black fungus cases, a rapidly spreading infection largely observed in those recovering from Covid-19. Taking note of the increasing numbers, the Central government has emphasised upon expediting the allocation of vials of Amphotericin-B, a key drug to treat raging mucormycosis.
As per experts, black fungus is a serious fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes. Recent observations state that the infection is commonly being observed in patients who were given steroids for a long time or even have been hospitalised for a long time.
The deadly infection is also said to be found in those who were on oxygen support/ ventilator or faced poor hospital hygiene or even those who have been taking medication for other illnesses such as diabetes.
A Patient Share's Ordeal After Recovering From Black Fungus
Pushkar Saran, who has recently contracted black fungus shared his unpleasant experience of battling the fungal infection. While speaking to news agency ANI, Saran said that he had numbness on left side of my face, eyes watered and had turned red.
Even his teeth on left side of upper jaw had turned numb, he said adding that he had to undergo surgery to get the infection removed. The 42-year-old Gurugram resident has now recovered from the disease.
Saran informed that he contracted black fungus after recovering from Covid-19 and said it happened as he took steroids.
"If diagnosed in initial stages and one goes to right medical care, it's curable," he said.
Saran also suggested other Covid positive patients to keep checking their diabetes level when taking steroids and said that take it only after proper consultation.
What Are Steroids?
Steroids are life-saving treatment for severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients. The doctors in India are documenting an alarming number of cases of mucormycosis among patients with COVID-19 and those who have recently recovered. They believe that mucormycosis may be triggered by the use of steroids.
Black Fungus State-Wise Tally
Gujarat has reported maximum of 2,281 black fungus cases followed by Maharashtra (2,000), Andhra Pradesh (910), Madhya Pradesh (720) Rajasthan (700), Karnataka (5,00), Haryana (250), Delhi (197), Punjab (95), Chhattisgarh (87), Bihar (56), Tamil Nadu (40), Kerala (36), Jharkhand (27), Odisha (15), Goa (12) and Chandigarh (8).