At least eight COVID-19 survivors in Maharashtra have lost vision in one eye due to mucormycosis infection, a top state official was reported as saying on May 8.
According to Dr Tatyarao Lahane, who heads the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), cases of mucormycosis, also known as black fungus infection, are on the rise in the state with nearly 200 such patients being treated.
Dr Lahane was earlier quoted as saying by news agency PTI that eight patients have died due to the disease. However, PTI shortly issued a clarification claiming that the official had "inadvertently" shared the incorrect information. The eight patients who were erroneously reported to have died are alive, but have lost vision in one eye, it clarified.
Niti Aayog Member (Health) V K Paul on Friday said mucormycosis is caused by a fungus named mucor, which is found on wet surfaces.
He had also said when the same COVID-19 patient is put on oxygen support, which has a humidifier containing water, the chances of him or her getting the fungal infection increase.
Dr Lahane told PTI that the fungal disease is already known but the cases are increasing because of COVID-19 related complications, wherein the use of steroids elevates the sugar level in blood while some medicines result in suppression of immunity of patients.
"In such a scenario, the black fungus infects the patient easily and spreads. If the fungus reaches the brain of the infected person, it can prove fatal. In one such case, one of the eyes of a patient had to be removed permanently to save his life," he was quoted as saying by the news agency.
Dr Lahane further said that mucormycosis is detected among people with a low level of immunity as well as among those suffering from chronic diabetes, or those who have gone through a kidney transplant among others.
"Though this fungus is present in the environment, people with suppressed immunity as well as who have received steroids during COVID-19 treatment are more susceptible to it. COVID-19 patients with co-morbidities are also vulnerable and can catch the infection early," he told PTI.
Dr Lahane said the general symptoms of mucormycosis include headache, fever, pain under the eyes, nasal or sinus congestion, and partial loss of vision among others.
Speaking about treatment, he said, "A patient generally needs a particular type of injection to be given for 21 days. The basic cost of this injection comes around Rs 9,000 per day. Treatment expenditure escalates with other facilities, medicines etc".
Dr Hetal Marfatia, professor and head of the ENT at the KEM hospital in Mumbai, said the surge in mucormycosis cases has been seen during the last two weeks.
"On average, 2 to 3 such patients are visiting the hospital every day," Dr Marfatia said, while speaking to PTI.
Dr Marfatia said many of these patients are from outside Mumbai who cannot afford the treatment cost as the medicines are expensive.
"Their infection becomes severe by the time they visit KEM for treatment," he added.
According to him, mucormycosis cases had been reported during the first COVID-19 wave as well but the number was comparatively small.
"Also such cases were not reported so early during the first wave," he added.
He further said the (COVID-19) patients had last year contracted the fungal infection typically a couple of weeks after they were discharged from hospitals.
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"But now, some patients are contracting this infection while undergoing COVID-19 treatment," he added.
Dr. Marfatia futher said patients coming from other cities are carrying a severe fungal infection.
"I was shocked to see a 29-year-old patient from rural Maharashtra losing both his eyes to mucormycosis. People need to understand the severity of COVID-19 as well as such diseases," he said.
Dr Marfatia advised strict control over diet and regular exercise to stay fit.
He said unhealthy food habits severely affect the immune system due to which one becomes vulnerable to such diseases.
As of May 7, Maharashtra's COVID-19 tally stood at 49,96,758 while the overall death toll was 74,413. The total count of recoveries stood at 42,65,326, the health department had said.
With PTI inputs.
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