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Expert panel to study post-Covid black fungus infection: Karnataka Health Minister

Mucormycosis is now a noticed disease and hospitals should report it to the government as it is illegal to hide it, said Health and Medical Education Minister of Karnataka Dr K. Sudhakar. He was speaking to the media after a meeting with experts and officials regarding the disease. “Black fungus is a post-Covid complication and […]

Dr. K Sudhakar
Dr. K Sudhakar

Mucormycosis is now a noticed disease and hospitals should report it to the government as it is illegal to hide it, said Health and Medical Education Minister of Karnataka Dr K. Sudhakar. He was speaking to the media after a meeting with experts and officials regarding the disease.

“Black fungus is a post-Covid complication and those who have uncontrolled diabetes and use a high dosage of steroids are vulnerable. Those who undergo organ transplantation and those with immunocompromised conditions like HIV are also likely to contract it. Such categories of people should be more cautious,” warned the minister.

“It has been learnt that the water used in humidifiers in hospitals is causing this. An expert panel has been set up to find out the exact cause of this disease. Measures will be taken after the expert committee submits its report,” said Dr Sudhakar.

Dr Sudhakar also informed the media that the fungus enters through the nasal cavity in people with low immunity, after which it attacks their eyesight. “One should get treatment immediately after it enters the nose,” he said.

The minister also spoke of the treatment facility at Bowring Hospital. “97 people have been reported with this infection so far and they are being treated at the Bowring Hospital on an experimental basis,” he said, adding, “Amphotericin injection is being given for treatment. A single patient needs 40-60 vials of this medicine. The Centre has approved 1,050 vials, out of which 450 vials have been supplied to our state. We have also placed an order for 20,000 vials.”

Dr Sudhakar also noted that black fungus treatment will start soon at the Mysuru Medical College, Shivamogga Medical College, JIMS, KIMS, Ven-lock and KMC Hospital in Udupi to facilitate treatment of patients in the respective districts.

He also said the government has information about persons infected with black fungus at private and government hospitals and treatment would be provided to them accordingly, free of cost.

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