Ninety-seven people have been afflicted by mucormycosis (black fungus), a post-COVID complication, in Karnataka while four persons have lost their lives so far.
"Mucormycosis is a notified disease and all hospitals need to mandatorily report the cases to the state health department," said State Health minister Dr Sudhakar.
An expert committee headed by Dr. H.S. Satish, HOD, ENT at Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, has been formed to study the fungal infection, its source, treatment protocol and the guidelines to be followed while treating the disease.
The minister urged people not to panic, stating that the fungal infections were mostly affecting COVID-19 recovered patients, who had uncontrolled diabetes and those who had been administered excessive steroids during the course of treatment.
Excess use of steroids is known to cause adverse events like rise in blood glucose level and suppression of natural immunity, he said.
"Cancer patients, immonu-compromised patients, and those who have undergone organ transplantation are more likely to develop this infection compared with healthy individuals. Besides uncontrolled diabetes and excessive use of steroids, contamination in ventilators and other equipment can also cause black fungus infection," Sudhakar said, adding that the COVID-19 patients who are in the susceptible group for this infection would now be closely monitored by ENT specialists on discharge from the hospital.
Elaborating on the possible symptoms that can help to identify the infection early, Dr Sudhakar said, "The symptoms could be black discharge from the nose or bleeding, foul smell, swelling in the eye and eye pain. The infection starts from nose, spreads to the eyes and progresses to the brain. We need to diagnose it early to prevent complications and death."
The state government has placed the order for procuring 20,000 vials of Amphotericin B (regulated medicine) which is being used for treatment of mucormycosis.
"We are also purchasing Isoconazole to be used in patients with kidney ailments. While the Bowring hospital will handle the fungal infection cases in Bengaluru, we plan to open five more centres to treat this infection," informed the minister.
The Mysore Medical College, Mysuru, SIMS, Shivamogga, GIMS, Kalaburagi, KIMS, Hubballi, KMC, Manipal and Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru have been identified as regional centres to treat mucormycosis.
