COVID-19: Deadly fungal infection causes scare in India

By Ahmad Adil

New Delhi (AA) - Doctors in the Indian capital of New Delhi have expressed concerns over rising cases of a deadly fungal infection, which is believed to have been triggered by COVID-19.

In the last two weeks, over two dozen cases of Mucormycosis have been reported at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital alone sounding alarm among doctors.

Mucormycosis is fatal for people who have weak immune systems and also causes loss of eyesight, doctors say.

“We are seeing a spurt in many cases…it is something to be noted. In the last 15 days, we have seen around 18 Mucormycosis cases coming into our OPD’s [outpatient department] and emergencies," Dr. Manish Munjal, a senior surgeon at the hospital told Anadolu Agency.

“Four of them have lost their lives because the disease spread to their brains. Three patients have lost their eyesight," he said.

He said such cases are being reported in other hospitals of the city as well.

"The infection is prevalent in non-COVID-19 people as well. But it is rare," he noted.

He said a few weeks after contracting the coronavirus, the immune system is weak, making such patients prone to catching infections like Mucormycosis.

Dr. Bulbul Gupta, another ear, nose and throat specialist in Delhi's Fortis Hospital, said she had recently received five such cases.

“Before COVID-19, this was rare," she said.

India's Health Ministry has said it is aware of these rising cases.

India's coronavirus cases are nearing the 10 million mark, with the death toll exceeding 144,000.