Suspect case of black fungus in Jamshedpur, report sent to Centre

THE STATE HAS SO FAR REPORTED EIGHT SUSPECT CASES OF BLACK FUNGUS FROM RAMGARH, RANCHI AND DHANBAD DISTRICTS

A suspected case of black fungus (Mucormycosis) has recently been reported from Tata Main Hospital (TMH), the state’s biggest Covid-19 hospital, officials said.

The state has so far reported eight suspected cases of black fungus from Ramgarh, Ranchi and Dhanbad. “A suspected patient has been detected at TMH and is currently undergoing treatment. We have sent reports of the said patient to the central government for further advanced testing. The patient came to TMH with symptoms of Mucormycosis and tested Covid-19 positive later,” Dr Rajan Chaudhry, Tata Steel medical advisor, said Friday evening.

Earlier during the first wave of the pandemic last year, another such patient came to TMH, he said. “Black fungus is not a new disease. Patients with low immunity, suffering from cancer or diabetes or being administered steroids for Covid-19 treatment may contract black fungus,” Dr Chaudhry said.

The recent case can be confirmed conclusively for black fungus only after reports of advanced tests arrive, he said.

The state has so far reported suspected death of a 50-year-old woman suffering from black fungus in Dhanbad on Thursday morning.

The district administration, however, has not confirmed it so far. The woman reportedly tested Covid-19 negative before her death, though her lungs were reportedly 70-80% infected.

Four new coronavirus variants found in state: Report

Meanwhile, a report from Bhubaneswar-based Regional Genome Sequencing Institute (GSI) recently on Thursday confirmed detection of four new variants of Covid-19 virus - UK strain (B.1.1.7), and three variants of double mutant (Indian strain B.1.617) in Jharkhand.

As per the GSI report, the UK mutant was found in 41 samples from the state, while 25 were infected with B.1.617-1, 12 samples with B.1.617-2 and two samples with B.1.617-3 variant of coronavirus.

The state has so far sent 98 samples to the GSI for testing.

Dr Chaudhry said samples were also sent to GSI from TMH, but a detailed report was yet to be shared with the hospital.