Preparing for a challenge
Just when the positive covid-19 cases have started to shown some decline another issue has got the medicos as well as the people worrisome. This issue that has surfaced during these covid times is the emergence of ‘black fungus’ among COVID-19 patients.
As of now the number of black fungus cases in the country has crossed the 7,000 mark which has meant that the numbers are going to witness a swell in the coming days. Besides, the increased number of cases is also pointing out to the fact that the disease is spreading fast to other regions, though initially it was confined to only Maharashtra.
Since the cases are increasing and more and more states are recording presence of the dreaded fungal infection the Centre has urged all states and union territories to declare it as a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act to ensure mandatory surveillance to tackle this serious challenge.
Given the severity of the cases and the mortality rate associated with such infections the Delhi High Court also asked the Centre to take steps to import Amphotericin-B used for treating Mucormycosis, also known as ‘black fungus’, from wherever it is available in the world to bridge its shortage before more precious lives are lost.
As on May 19, there were 7,251 patients of black fungus in the country and this includes 200 in Delhi. Some states have also reported fatalities due to this disease with Maharashtra recording 90 deaths.
Notably, the Union Health Minister has also shot a letter to the states and the UTs, warning them about the new challenge in the form of a fungal infection and its prolonged morbidity and mortality amongst COVID-19 patients.
The letter said the disease is reported from many states amongst COVID-19 patients, especially those on steroid therapy and deranged sugar control.
The treatment of the fungal infection requires multidisciplinary approach involving eye surgeons, ENT specialists, general surgeon, neurosurgeon and dental maxillo facial surgeon, among others, and administration of Amphotericin-B injection.
The current protocol that is followed to treat the disease involves use of Amphotericin injections which only select pharma companies are manufacturing. To overcome any shortage of the drug the Indian Medical Association (IMA) also wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to allow eligible pharmaceutical companies to manufacture Amphotericin-B drugs in the country.
According to an advisory issued by the ICMR, conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, weakening of immune system due to use of steroids, prolonged ICU/hospital stay, co-morbidities/post-organ transplant/cancer, voriconazole therapy (used to treat serious fungal infections) in COVID-19 patients increase the risk of mucormycosis infection.
In addition, COVID patients undergoing oxygen therapy in the ICU, where humidifier is used, are prone to fungal infection because of exposure to moisture.
Though the prevalence does not mean that every COVID patient will get infected by Mucormycosis, but since the pandemic has hit us hard we need to be pursuing the infection so as to secure a cure before a huge damage is done.
Even in a place like Jammu and Kashmir one case has been reported in Jammu and unconfirmed reports about a possible second case have surfaced in Srinagar as well.
KV Network
