Headache, fever, pain under the eyes, nasal or sinus congestion, and partial loss of vision are few symptoms of Mucormycosis, also known as a black fungus.
Around 270 cases of Mucormycosis, a rare but dangerous fungal infection, have been reported so far in the Pune district, prompting a government task force to come up with a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for patients management in hospitals, officials said on Friday.
Symptoms of Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, include headache, fever, pain under the eyes, nasal or sinus congestion, and partial loss of vision.
It affects the sinuses, the brain, and the lungs and can be life-threatening in people who are diabetic or have suppressed immunity.
Mucormycosis, whose treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach, has come in focus during the pandemic as it has been detected in some recovering and recovered coronavirus patients.
Saurabh Rao, Divisional Commissioner, Pune division, said so far around 270 cases have been reported in various hospitals in the district.
"Our divisional task force member Dr. Bharat Purandare has come up with detailed SOPs for management of Mucormycosis. The SOPs have been vetted by the task force," he said.
"The SOPs have been issued to all hospitals in the state. We have asked hospitals to follow the guidelines mentioned in the SOPs," the IAS officer said.
The SOPs contain details about clinical management, treatment protocols, patient management, surgical intervention, and medication, Mr. Rao said.
Asked about the fatality rate among Mucormycosis patients in the Pune district, the senior bureaucrat said they are collating data in this regard.
It is a rare fungal infection. Before COVID-19 also, we used to see such cases, but their number was very low.
Your support to NYOOOZ will help us to continue create and publish news for and from smaller cities, which also need equal voice as much as citizens living in bigger cities have through mainstream media organizations.