Kozhikode: Even as the authorities are taking all possible measures to curb the massive spread of second wave of COVID-19, the occurrence of Black Fungus, found among immune-compromised and diabetic patients, who had recovered from coronavirus infection, is causing a concern for the health authorities in the state.
Atleast 15 cases of Black Fungus (Mucormycosis), a rare but serious fungal infection, has been reported in the state till May 20. As many as ten patients are under treatment at the Kozhikode medical college hospital.
One among those who got infected with black fungus died in Pathanamthitta.
The 56-year old Pandalam-native died while he was under treatment for the disease post-recovering form Covid-19 recently.
An eye of a man in Malappuram district, infected with the dreaded disease, had to be removed surgically to prevent the infection from spreading to his brain. The 62-year old Tirur-native had a tough time with pneumonia while under treatment for Covid-19 at the Government Medical College hospital in Manjeri.
Though he recovered, he was diagnosed for the black fungus while resting at home post covid recovery and was operated upon to remove his eye last week.
Health professionals say Mucormycosis spreads in rapid progression into one’s brain causing damage to the eyes. The infection causing hype in diabetics and an early diagnosis and treatment is advised, sources pointed out.
Having a mortality rate of around 50 percent, a black fungus infected patient is likely to suffer a stroke resulting in death.
Medical experts say the disease get infected in an immune-compromised condition and for those who are acute diabetic patients. Bloodstain in the nose, persistent headache and numbness are among the common symptoms of the disease, the sources added.
The shortage of medicines for the disease is yet another cause of concern for the medical fraternity. In an effort to hurdle over the shortcoming, the district administration on Friday arranged more doses of medicines from government medical college in Thrissur.
The health administrators are busy working on ensuring early treatment and managing supply of medicines as they expect more getting infected with black fungus, which has already been reported in ten states.
The authorities also caution Covid-recovered but diabetic patients and their close relatives to be on an alert to observe symptoms of black fungus and rush for treatment once they suspect infection.