Bokaro district on toes after black fungus scare

BOKARO: The Steel City, which is already battling a high number of Covid cases, is once again on its toes after the district reported two deaths due to black fungus in the last one week, while one other is undergoing treatment and yet another suspected case of the fungal infection has been kept under observation.
District health officials said they have issued directives to doctors to give special attention to diabetic Covid patients who are more prone to the disease. Similar guidelines have been given by the management of Bokaro General Hospital (BGH). Even doctors at the Eye Hospital have been asked to remain cautious.
Civil surgeon Dr A K Pathak said, “A 32-year-old woman resident of Chandrapura was immediately referred to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims) in Ranchi for treatment while an elderly resident of Bermo couldn’t survive.”
Pathak added, “We have asked doctors to keep a watch on Covid-19 patients with uncontrolled diabetes, weakening of immune system due to use of steroids, prolonged ICU/hospital stay, co-morbidities, post organ transplant, cancer and voriconazole therapy (used to treat serious fungal infections).”
BGH, a dedicated Covid hospital, reported another death of a 68-year-old woman with black fungus (cutaneous) a few days back. The woman was diabetic and had recovered from Covid but got admitted after showing symptoms of the infection. By the time the doctors could diagnose, she died.
The suspected case of black fungus has been found at BGH after in a 72-year-old diabetic male patient. He is currently under treatment. Executive director of BGH A K Singh said, “Mucormycosis begins to manifest as a skin infection in the air pockets located behind our forehead, nose, cheekbones and between the eyes and teeth. It then spreads to the eyes, lungs and can even spread to the brain. It leads to blackening or discoloration over the nose, blurred or double vision, chest pain, breathing difficulties and coughing of blood.”
Prominent ophthalmologist Dr Ambrish Soni said a male patient from Kathara of Bermo with symptoms of black fungus died a week ago before the treatment could be started. “Controlling diabetes is one of the foremost preventive methods suggested by ICMR. Hence, Covid patients who are diabetic need to take utmost care,” said Dr Soni.
The Indian Council of Medical Research has advised not all cases of blocked nose should be considered as cases of bacterial sinusitis, particularly during/after the treatment of patients. One must seek medical help for detecting fungal infection.