Be on alert about mucormycosis: Centre to States and UTs

With mucormycosis cases on the rise, the central government on Saturday warned state and union territories about the emerging threat of the fungal infection among the COVID19 patients. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has asked all state the States and Union Territories (UTs) to keep a tab on the issue of mucormycosis.

New Delhi: The Central government on Saturday cautioned about an emerging threat called mucormycosis even as the country is still dealing with the havoc created by the second wave of the Covid19 pandemic.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has asked all the States and Union Territories (UTs) to keep a tab on the issue of mucormycosis.

“This is an emerging issue. We have asked all the states and UTs to be on alert,” said Dr VK Paul, chairperson of the national task force on Covid19 and a Niti Aayog member.

He said that though the number of mucormycosis infections is very minimal at present, the central government is looking into the production of amphotericin B, an antifungal medication used for serious fungal infections and leishmaniasis.

Mucormycosis or black fungus is a complication caused by fungal infection. People catch mucormycosis by coming in contact with the fungal spores in the environment. It can also develop on the skin after the fungus enters the skin through a cut, scrape, burn, or other types of skin trauma.

The disease is being detected among patients who are recovering or have recovered from Covid-19. Anyone who is diabetic and whose immune system is not functioning well needs to be on the guard against this.

Read: Rising Cases Of The Black Fungal Infection In India!

“Mucormycosis is a serious problem. It mainly occurs in patients having diabetes, Covid and those who are on steroids. So, there is an urgent need to control diabetes and avoid taking unnecessary steroids,” said Dr Paul while addressing a press conference in New Delhi on the status of Covid19 situation.

Experts said that 5-10 days of steroids is enough for Covid patients.

Echoing the same view, Dr Randeep Guleria, AIIMS director reiterated that mucormycosis is a serious infection.

“Although the infection was there earlier too, but due to ongoing Covid19 infection, we are having more and more of such cases,” said Dr Guleria.

He said that this infection may be prevalent in air too. “This infection may prevail in construction sites areas also,” said Dr Guleria.

Mucormycosis is caused by a set of micro-organisms known as mucormycetes, which are present naturally in the environment, seen mostly in soil and in decaying organic matter like leaves and compost.

“Mucormycosis could be fatal if not treated properly,” added Dr Guleriua. He said that while the infection may just begin with a skin infection, it can spread to other parts of the body. This may result in loss of upper jaw or sometimes even the eye.

Dr Guleria said that disinfecting the hospital areas and premises of Covid patients was necessary as such infection can increase mortality too.

Read: Black Fungus declared notified disease in Haryana