Rare black fungus outbreak in India amid severe Covid pandemic
In India, amid the worsening situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the country has recorded many cases of fungal infection called Mucormycosis - India Today quoted the Indian Agency for Medical Education and Research.
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Cremation of Covid victims in the Indian capital New Delhi. Photo: EPA |
This is a rare fungal infection also known as "black fungus". The disease affects the sinuses or lungs after inhaling the spores of the fungus, commonly found in swampy areas, wet ground, rotting plants and vegetables.
According to the announcement, symptoms of Mucormycosis are often seen in Covid-19 patients and people who have just recovered from acute respiratory infections.
According to Dr. Paul, member of the Government organization NITI Aayog, after putting Covid-19 patients on ventilators, the possibility of fungal infection increases.
Specifically, in the Indian state of Gujarat, 40 cases of black fungus infection have been detected in the past two weeks. Due to this fungal infection, some patients have lost their eyesight.
At least eight people in Maharashtra state who survived coronavirus infection died after contracting the fungal disease Mucormycosis, according to data from news agency PTI, citing a senior official.
India is now the second-most affected country in the world with the total number of Covid-19 cases in the country surpassing 22.2 million. Maharashtra continues to lead the pack with at least 56,500 cases recorded in the last 24 hours.