Black fungus infection worse than covid
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https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1441509/black-fungus-infection-outbreak-coronavirus-covid-india-latestBlack fungus panic: Warning as 9,000 hit by terrifying new outbreak - 'Worse than Covid'
A WARNING has been issued after 9,000 people were infected with black mould in India, with one expert warning it is "more challenging than coronavirus".
By LUKE HAWKER
PUBLISHED: 00:00, Fri, May 28, 2021 | UPDATED: 09:13, Fri, May 28, 2021
India: Black fungus infection outbreak discussed by doctor
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India remains at the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic and the health crisis has been further complicated by the emergence of a deadly black fungus infection, the Indian Prime Minister has warned. India has surpassed 27million known COVID-19 infections on Wednesday and the total number of recorded fatalities has risen above 311,000.
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Health officials are now tackling an outbreak of mucormycosi, also known as black fungus, in thousands of existing and recovered coronavirus patients.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has admitted the fatal fungal infection is providing a "new challenge".
A black fungus infection is caused by exposure to a mould often found in soil, air and human mucus.
India black fungus
India has reported new cases of a black fungus infection (Image: GETTY)
India black fungus
Health officials are now tackling an outbreak of mucormycosi, also known as black fungus (Image: GETTY)
It can cause blackening or discolouration over the nose, blurred or double vision, chest pain, breathing difficulties and coughing blood.
The condition can also compromise the immune system and has a close link to diabetes.
Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows mucormycosis has a mortality rate of 54 percent, but experts have warned this could rise if untreated.
More than 9,000 cases were reported across India over the weekend, with almost half found in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi has admitted the fatal fungal infection is providing a 'new challenge' (Image: GETTY)
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Black fungus panic: Warning as 9,000 hit by terrifying new outbreak - 'Worse than Covid'
Black fungus panic: Warning as 9,000 hit by terrifying new outbreak - 'Worse than Covid'
Patients with mucormycosis require an anti-fungal intravenous injection which has to be administered every day for up to eight weeks, but the unprecedented spike has resulted in a shortage of medical supplies.
The disease is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from human to human, but can spread from fungal spores present in the air or in the environment, which are almost impossible to avoid.
Dr VP Pandey, head of medicine at the Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital in the central Indian city of Indore, has said 200 beds in the 1,110 capacity facility are now caring for black fungus patients.
He told the BBC: "This surge in patients was definitely unexpected. We used to see one or two cases a year previously."
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India coronavirus
India has surpassed 27 million coronavirus infections (Image: GETTY)
The doctor warned the fungal infection has become “more challenging” than coronavirus and the death rate could rise above 90 percent.
Dr VP Pandey added: “The black fungus infection has now become more challenging than COVID-19.
“If patients are not treated in time and properly, than the mortality rate can go up to 94 percent. The cost of treatment is expensive."
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India coronavirus
Coronavirus cases around the world (Image: EXPRESS)
Nishant Kumar, an ophthalmologist at Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai, claimed the spike in black fungus infections could be attributed to dirty medical equipment.
He said: “There is a lot of contamination in the pipes used for oxygen, the cylinders that are being used, the humidifiers used.
"If you are immuno-suppressed, and you have been on these pipes and oxygens for a long period of time, then these infections get much more of an opportunity to get in."
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