New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS) After doctors at a Delhi hospital found multiple cases of deadly fungal infection in recovering coronavirus patients which is leading to loss of eyesight, the government on Tuesday said that it is a “devastating disease” and people must remain more cautious.
“This is a devastating disease, and the cure is not easy. We need to be cautious. This could be a mild disease but can also take a serious turn. This was there in the absence of Covid-19 as well,” Dr V.K. Paul, Member, Health, NITI Aayog said at a press conference.
ENT surgeons at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital witnessed 13 cases of Covid-19-triggered mucormycosis or black fungus due to which nearly half of the patients lost their eyesight, hospital authorities claimed on Monday.
Mucormycosis has been the cause of disease and death of patients in transplants, and ICU and immuno-deficient individuals since long. However, it is the rapid increase in the numbers seen in unsuspected recovering Covid-19 patients that is causing the grave concern, the hospital said in a statement.
Mortality is currently being seen in the range of 50 per cent (five patients), with certain deaths when there is involvement of brain, the authorities said.
One such case is of a 32-year-old Covid-recovered patient who was admitted to the emergency ward of SGRH a few days ago in a partially disoriented state.
“An MRI revealed that the infection had already destroyed a significant part of his left side sinuses, eye, upper jaw bone and muscles, and even had made passage into the brain. He had to be subsequently put on the life-saving antifungal medication and vital critical care support for more than 2 weeks. He will soon be discharged in a survivable, but a disfigured state,” Dr Manish Munjal, senior ENT surgeon, SGRH had said.
“The frequency with which we are witnessing the occurrence of Covid triggered mucormycosis with high morbidity & mortality has never been seen before and is shocking and alarming,” said Dr Prakash Shastri, Vice Chairman of Critical Care Department, SGRH.
–IANS
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