9 patients reinfected with Black Fungus in Agra
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9 patients who previously recovered from black fungus infections were diagnosed with the infection again at the Sarojini Naidu Medical College (SNMC) in Agra, reported IANS on July 20.
Black fungus or Mucormycosis is a fungal infection caused by a group of molds called Mucormycetes. All nine confirmed cases of black fungus at the SNMC had previously tested Covid-19 positive. The patients are all above 40 years of age.
"Over the past two months, 83 patients of black fungus surfaced in the Agra district. Out of these, 41 have been cured of the infection," said Akhil Pratap Singh, district-in-charge for the treatment of black fungus. He added that the patients are called in for check-ups every 15 days, which is when they confirmed the black fungus infection.
"Following an MRI test, re-infection of black fungus was confirmed in nine of these patients. Notably, these patients did not show any symptoms of re-infection. All these patients are now being provided anti-fungal treatment," added Singh.
Additionally, two more patients were diagnosed with Mucormycosis in Agra and were admitted to SNMC. The infection was found in their lungs.
Black fungus infections are increasingly seen in patients with severely weakened immune systems, such as patients suffering from diabetes and HIV. It is still unclear if contracting Covid-19 makes patients more susceptible to the black fungus infection.
Notably, however, more black fungus cases are being reported across the country. Rajasthan declared a 'mucormycosis epidemic' on May 19. Over 8000 cases of Mucormycosis were reported in the state of Maharashtra in June.
Black fungus is not contagious and can be treated by administering fungal medication or, in severe cases, surgically removing the affected area. Symptoms of the infection differ based on the infected area.