'Delhi reporting over 20 cases of Black Fungus everyday'

Doctors say this affliction called Mucormycosis is rare but not new. What is new is the impact of Covid behind triggering this deadly infection.

New Delhi:All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, is reporting more than 20 cases of 'Black Fungus' (Mucormycosis) disease daily, said Dr MV Padma Srivastava, Head, Department of Neurology, AIIMS.

"In Delhi's AIIMS, there are more than 20 cases of mucormycosis reported in an emergency today. Mucormycosis was always there in those who are immunocompromised, diabetic, high steroid dose, but it was never in this number," said Dr Padma, Head, Neurology Department, AIIMS.

"She said that earlier the number was in single-digit. But, now we have crossed the three-digit mark and are getting more than 20 cases of infection every single day. We have made mucor wards separately at AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Trauma Centre, and AIIMS Jhajjar," Dr Padma added.

She further informed that the index of suspicion of contracting Black Fungus is very high because of low immunity. If COVID happens to diabetic people, sugar should be strictly controlled and there should be rational use of steroids.

"Cases of mucormycosis began being reported two months ago and states like Gujarat and Maharashtra have, so far, reported more than 1,800 cases. Now, Delhi is also reporting a high number of cases and a maximum of those are the ones who have taken high doses of steroids or are diabetic," she added.

Max hospitals across India have reported 50 cases of black fungus, and in Delhi alone, the numbers are 25. "COVID-19 strain may also be the reason and we need to do genome sequencing to understand this disease more," Dr Padma said.

Dr DS Rana, Chairperson, Sri Gangaram Hospital, informed that the hospital has as many as 48 admitted Black Fungus patients and 16 are in the waiting list. The rare fungal infection called 'mucormycosis' or 'black fungus' is on the rise in several parts of the country, including Delhi.

As per the Union Health Ministry, Mucormycosis or black fungus is a complication caused by a 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 another type of skin trauma.

(With inputs from agency)