52% of black fungus patients fall in 40-59 age group: Patna hospitals

PATNA: Nearly 52% of the mucormycosis patients being treated at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences-Patna (AIIMS-P) and the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) are in the age group of 40 to 59 years, claim doctors.
The two hospitals have been declared centres of excellence for the treatment and effective management of the deadly disease.
According to doctors, around 60% of the mucormycosis patients undergoing treatment at the AIIMS-P and the IGIMS are either diabetic or suffering from comorbidities. The remaining are infected due to immunosuppression as a result of Covid-19 and the unwarranted use of steroids.
Reiterating the doctors’ claim, an official of the health department pointed out that most mucormycosis cases were being diagnosed in people, who belonged to the age group of 40 to 59 years.
Dr Sanjeev Kumar, the nodal officer for Covid-19 at the AIIMS-P, told this reporter on Saturday that mucormycosis was primarily affecting men in the age group of 40 to 59 years. “All those who had received high doses of steroids during Covid treatment are suffering from the disease,” he added.
Of the 119 mucormycosis patients admitted to the AIIMS-P so far, 37 were discharged and 19 died. Those being treated at the hospital also included three kids from Begusarai, Siwan and Buxar, who were below the age of 12 years.
Dr Manish Mandal, the superintendent of the IGIMS, said, “The fungal infection is mostly attacking diabetics in the age group of 40 to 59 years. It has also claimed the lives of patients above the age of 45.”
Of the 100 mucormycosis patients, who had been admitted to the IGIMS for treatment, 63 were discharged and 40 died.
While 38% of the mucormycosis patients at the Nalanda Medical College and Hospital are in the age group of 40 to 55 years, 37% are in the 30-39 age group.
The hospital’s nodal officer for Covid, Dr Mukul Kumar Singh, pointed out, “People above the age of 40 years usually have low immunity, which dips further when they contract Covid-19.”
The Patna Medical College and Hospital, on the other hand, is treating 21 mucormycosis patients at present. Six people have succumbed to the fungal infection so far.
Mucormycosis affects the facial area, including the mouth, sinus, face and eyes. In severe cases, it can attack the central nervous system.