Cases of black fungus emerge in Noida, Gzb
NOIDA/GHAZIABAD: Cases of mucormycosis, commonly known as “black fungus” , among Covid-19 patients, have been reported from various hospitals in Noida and Ghaziabad in the past one week.
According to doctors, it is being reported in patients who have either recovered or are recovering from Covid. Most of the early symptoms include headache, facial swelling, swelling around the eye, pain in the nasal area, black particles found in the nose or upper area of the mouth, and sinus congestion.
Dr Savyasachi Saxena, ENT surgeon at Fortis Hospital, Noida said that even after all such symptoms, a patient cannot be started on an anti-fungal treatment and an endoscopy, as a CT scan is required for its diagnosis.
Three confirmed cases of black fungus have been reported at Fortis Hospital, Noida so far. Dr Saxena said, “I have so far operated on three patients of black fungus in the past one week and all three of them are doing better now”.
He added that all were borderline diabetic and had recovered from Covid in the past 20-30 days.
Giving advice to doctors treating Covid patients, Dr Saxena said, “Steroid treatment should be a last resort for doctors to treat a Covid patient. It is generally used to reduce inflammation in the body due to the virus but doctors are advised to wait at least two weeks after the advent of the infection before putting a patient on steroid therapy”. He added that the three patients were between the ages of 45 and 60 years.
Dr DK Gupta, chairman and managing director, Felix Hospital
in Sector 137, informed that there have been two cases of “black fungus” at the hospital, one of which was a Delhi patient who had a mild case and has recovered.
“The second case was reported to the hospital Thursday evening, wherein the mucus had infected the eyes of the patient as well, which increases the risk of blindness. He is under treatment at our hospital,” said Dr Gupta.
He added that both patients were diabetic and between 30 and 40 years.
He further informed that "black fungus" is found in those, whose immune systems have been compromised or are weak, especially in uncontrolled diabetic patients, those who have been on a long course of antibiotics, long term steroids, IV fluids, oxygen therapy or some immunosuppressant treatments.
Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate Suhas LY said the
health department has been asked to be prepared in case such cases surge.
“We have asked the health department to procure antifungal drugs in sufficient quantities to treat such cases. An advisory has also been sent to doctors and hospitals regarding careless use of steroids, which may aggravate such complications,” the DM said.
In Ghaziabad, Yashoda Hospital in Nehru Nagar has treated five cases of "black fungus" in the last week so far.
“While four out of five patients are diabetic, it is surprising to note that one patient is a 35-year-old man with no diabetes, and no other comorbidities,” said Dr Nripen Vishnoi, head of department and senior ENT and cochlear implant surgeon, Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital. The other four patients are 50-60 years-old.
“I also hold online consultations and for the past 10 days, I
have been getting at least twothree queries a day regarding Covid-recovered patients who are showing symptoms of "black fungus",” said Dr Vishnoi.
He added that "black fungus" starts from the sinus area and is likely to go into the lungs. In many cases, it also goes into the eyes through the sinus region, after which it may affect the brain too.
“If the fungus affects the brain, it immediately becomes deadly and mortality rate increases to 80%,” he said.
On Friday, the Uttar Pradesh state health department had issued an advisory on dealing with "black fungus" cases.
The health department has started providing online training to the doctors of the hospitals of the state regarding the disease. The chief minister has directed the health and medical education department that all types of medicines should be arranged to deal with "black fungus".