Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP/DV)
Mangaluru, May 16: As per information, over a hundred people from the state have been infected with Mucormycosis, commonly known as black fungus disease while nine have lost their lies. One person each from Bagalkot, Belagavi and Kalaburagi have lost their lives to this disease while two from the city have died.
Black fungus disease is caused by the excessive use of steroids that weakens the immune system of the body as a result of which attack by micro fungi create the problem. It is recommended that those infected by this disease immediately meet an ENT specialist.
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As per reports, there have been four cases of black fungas in Mangaluru, including two in Wenlock hospital.
Speaking to daijiworld.com, district health officer (DHO) Dr Kishor Kumar said, "There have been two symptomatic cases of suspected Mucormycosis infection in district Wenlock hospital. As of now, we have not collected data from private hospitals. Today, we will ask all the private hospitals to send the data regarding such cases."
Meanwhile, state health minister Dr K Sudhakar on Sunday, May 16 admitted that while people have yet not recovered from the blow of Covid-19, cases of Mucormycosis infection are on the rise. Many have lost their lives due to the infection. What is worse, there is a scarcity of medication for the treatment of black fungus in the country.
"The state government has asked the union government to supply 20,000 vials of medicines for black fungus. In this regard, I am in touch with union minister D V Sadananda Gowda. We will discuss the issue with the union health ministry," Dr Sudhakar said.
He further said that he has no statistics on how many people have been affected by black fungus in the state, how many have died due to the infection, and how many cases have been registered. "Several people have got admitted to private hospitals, hence we do not have accurate information. We are forming an expert committee which will inform us about the statistics and method of treatment for black fungus," he said.
He also said that in the state nearly 20,000 people are affected by dengue every year. "The numbers will increase during the monsoon. People should be cautious about dengue," he said.
As per reports, so far, 14 persons have been treated for black fungus in Minto Eye Hospital in Bengaluru. Currently, seven such persons are being treated in the Covid ward of Victoria Hospital, and 50 are admitted in different hospitals. Last year too, eight people who recovered from coronavirus infection had been treated for black fungus, out of which two survived and six died.