8 die of Covid-induced black fungus in Maharashtra: How deadly is the infection?

NEW DELHI: At least eight Covid-19 patients have died due to mucormycosis, a rare and deadly fungal infection which has a mortality rate of over 50% and can lead to blindness.
Dr Tatyarao Lahane, who heads the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), told PTI that cases of mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, are on the rise and 200 patients are being treated in Maharashtra alone.

"Eight out of 200 such patients treated so far in various parts of the state have died due to mucormycosis. They survived Covid-19 infection but the fungal infection attacked their weak immune system which proved fatal," Dr Lahane told PTI.
Here's all you need to know about the deadly infection ...
What is mucormycosis?
It is a type of serious fungal infection that occurs most often in people with weakened immunity from an illness or chronic health condition.
Niti Aayog Member (Health) V K Paul had said that mucormycosis is caused by a fungus named mucor, which is found on wet surfaces.
Why are Covid survivors vulnerable to the infection?
In pre-Covid times, the ‘black fungus’ mucormycosis used to be rare and seen mainly in immunocompromised people. However, after the pandemic, three factors have led to an exponential rise — Covid itself, diabetes and abuse of steroids that lower immunity.
Dr Lahane said 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 said.
He said that Covid-19 patients with co-morbidities are also vulnerable and can catch the infection early.
What are the symptoms caused by the infection?
The infection typically starts growing from the nose, upper jaw and travels to the brain.
Pain under the eyes, one-sided facial swelling, headache, fever, nasal or sinus congestion, black lesions on nasal bridge and partial vision loss are some of the common symptoms.
"Once it reaches the brain, it's almost a death sentence," a Mumbai-based doctor said.
Did the cases emerge only during second wave?
According to Dr Lahane, 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 patients had last year contracted the fungal infection typically a couple of weeks after they were discharged from hospitals.
"But now, some patients are contracting this infection while undergoing COVID-19 treatment," he added.
Is the infection common?
The infection itself is quite rare but is affecting more Covid survivors in the second wave due to a major surge in cases.
ENT surgeon Dr Sanjeev Zambane said he has been seeing a minimum of two mucormycosis cases in a day.
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.
Where are the cases being reported from?
The government had said that cases of mucormycosis have been observed among Covid-19 patients but there is "no big outbreak" and the situation is being monitored closely.
The cases of mucormycosis have so far been reported in places like Maharashtra, Delhi and Gujarat.
A leading private hospital in Delhi had recently flagged the rising number of Covid-triggered black fungus cases.
Mathur Savani, chairman of Surat-based Kiran Super Multi-speciality Hospital, said that fifty mucormycosis patients are being treated at his hospital and 60 more are awaiting treatment.
Treatment
Treatment is a big challenge since anti-fungal medicines are in short supply and can be very expensive.
"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 Lahane said.
(With inputs from PTI)