Two People In Madhya Pradesh Die Of Black Fungal Infection

Two people in Madhya Pradesh died due to black fungal infection or Mucormycosis on Tuesday.

"Two people have died due to black fungal infection as their brain was affected. Total 13 patients have been detected with this infection here so far," said Dr Shweta Walia, Designated Professor, Eye Department, Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital, Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

Madhya Pradesh | Two people have died due to black fungal infection as their brain was affected. Total 13 patients have been detected with this infection here so far: Dr Shweta Walia, Designated Professor, Eye Department, Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital, Indore pic.twitter.com/8Tp8VpE0YA

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2021

Earlier, Madhya Pradesh's capital city Bhopal recorded at least seven cases of infection. Six of them were from the state-run Hamidia hospital, and one was admitted to a private hospital in the city.

The worst part was that doctors had to remove nine teeth and jaw during an operation on a patient at the Hamidia hospital on Monday. Another patient lost his eye in the surgery. The surgery has to be performed in order to control the spread of the fungal infection.

Now there are four other patients who are awaiting surgeries at a private hospital in Bhopal. Besides the growing cases of fungal infection, hospitals in the city are now facing a shortage of Amphotericin B50 injection. However, it is said that the injection's availability improved on Tuesday.

The Gandhi Medical College in Bhopal has now started preparations for establishing a new ward of about 20 beds for black fungus cases.

What is black fungal infection?

Black fungal infection, also known as Mucormycosis is caused by moulds that exist in groups. These moulds are naturally present in the environment and are known as mucormycosis. These fungi usually infect people who are already facing some health issues and are taking medicines that lower their immunity.

This fungus has now lead to an increase in the mortality rate in the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not all patients are prone to this infection, but people with co-morbidities like diabetes, cancer, or kidney problems are more prone to getting infected.