Punjab Detects Infection In Sinus At Early Stages In Two-Third Of Its Black Fungus Patients

Mucormycosis infection in sinus: The cases of Mucormycosis, a post- COVID-19 fungal infection complication continue to soar in India. Over 11,000 cases of the disease had been reported in our country, as of May 26. Of these over 222 cases have been reported in the state of Punjab. According to the health department of Punjab, 72 percent of people with Black Fungus in the state, who are diagnosed at an early stage only have the infection in their sinuses.

As per Hindustan Times, out of a total of 222 cases of Black Fungus detected in the state, 160 patients were diagnosed at an early stage and only had the infection in the sinus. However, according to doctors, if the infection is not treated at this stage, it can spread to the eyes, jaws, teeth, lungs and also the brain in the worst conditions.

Officials have said that in six patients, the infection has led to vision-related disabilities, however, any case of the infection spread to patients' jaws, teeth lungs and brain has not been reported in the state so far.

According to the nodal officer for Black Fungus Dr Gagandeep Singh, six patients in the state had to undergo eye orbit surgery because the infection that reached their eyes. The clinical status of these patients is however not known and no data was maintained for their partial or complete loss of vision.

A total of 25 patients have died in the state due to Black Fungus and the reason is said to be aggressive spread of the fungus in the body damaging their organs.

"The fungal infection may have spread in the bodies and may have damaged the organs of 25 patients who have died of the disease," said Dr Singh in his statement.

What is mucormycosis?

Mucormycosis or Black Fungus is a type of fungal infection that is very rare and is caused by a fungus that belongs to the Mucorales family of fungi. This infection is very rare and has a high fatality rate, although it can disfigure a person even when it is not fatal. A susceptible person can contract Mucormycosis by breathing the spores of the fungus which are generally present in the air. The fungus can also enter one's body through cuts and burns on the skin.