Eight Covid-19 survivors die of black fungus in Maharashtra: DMER

At least eight Covid19 survivors have died due to mucormycosis a fungal infection during treatment in Maharashtra a senior official said on Saturday adding the total 200 such patients are being treatedAccording to Dr Tatyarao Lahane who heads the Directorate of Medical Education and Research DMER cases of mucormycosis are on the riseEight 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 Covid19 infection but the fungal infection attacked their weak immune system which proved fatal Dr Lahane told PTINiti Aayog Member Health V K Paul on Friday said mucormycosis is caused by a fungus named mucor which is found on wet surfacesHe had also said when the same Covid19 patient is put on oxygen support which has a humidifier containing water the chances of him or her getting the fungal infection increaseDr Lahane said the fungal disease is already known but the cases are increasing because of Covid19 related complications wherein the use of steroids elevates the sugar level in blood while some medicines result in suppression of immunity of patientsIn such a scenario the black fungus infects the patient easily and spreads If the fungus reaches the brain of the infected person it can prove fatal In one such case one of the eyes of a patient had to be removed permanently to save his life he saidDr Lahane said mucormycosis is a serious fungal infection that is found among people with a low level of immunity as well as among those suffering from chronicdiabetes or those who have gone through a kidney transplant among othersThough this fungus is present in the environment people with suppressed immunity as well as who have received steroids during Covid19 treatment are more susceptible to it Covid19 patients with comorbidities are also vulnerable and can catch the infection early he explainedDr Lahane said the general symptoms of mucormycosis include headache fever pain under the eyes nasal or sinus congestion and partial loss of vision among othersSpeaking about treatment he said A patient generally needs a particular type of injection to be given for 21 days The basic cost of this injection comes aroundRs 9000 per day Treatment expenditure escalates with other facilities medicines etcDr Hetal Marfatia professor and head of the ENT at the KEM hospital in Mumbai said the surge in mucormycosis cases has been seen during the last two weeksOn average 2 to 3 such patients are visiting the hospital every day Dr Marfatia saidDr Marfatia said many of these patients are from outside Mumbai who cannot afford the treatment cost as the medicines are expensiveTheir infection becomes severe by the time they visit KEM for treatment he addedAccording to him mucormycosis cases had been reported during the first Covid19 wave as well but the number was comparatively smallAlso such cases were not reported so early during the first wave he addedHe further said the Covid19 patients had last year contracted the fungal infection typically a couple of weeks after they were discharged from hospitalsBut now some patients are contracting this infection while undergoing Covid19 treatment he addedDr Marfatia futher said patients coming from other cities are carrying a severe fungal infectionI was shocked to see a 29yearold patient from rural Maharashtra losing both his eyes to mucormycosis People need to understand the severity of Covid19 as well as such diseases he saidDr Marfatia advised strict control over diet and regular exercise to stay fitHe said unhealthy food habits severely affect the immune system due to which one becomes vulnerable to such diseasesAs of May 7 Maharashtras Covid19 tally stood at 4996758 while the overall death toll was 74413 The total count of recoveries stood at 4265326 the health department had said