Patna Doctors Claim "No Reports So Far" Of White Fungus

What Is White Fungus?: Two top medical experts in Patna, Bihar refuted the reports of White Fungus infection found in patients. Earlier it was reported that four cases of White Fungus infection were detected in patients in the city.

This week a new kind of fungal infection in patients was reported by media called White Fungus. According to reports, four cases of White Fungus were reported from Patna, Bihar. The microbiology department head at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Dr S N Singh gave a statement to media outlets saying that patients with White Fungal infection showed COVID-19-like symptoms.

When SheThePeople reached out to Indian Medical Association (IMA) President at Patna, Ajay Kumar, he said that there were no such cases brought to his notice. He also said that there are no reports so far to claim that the White Fungus infection is more dangerous than Black Fungus or Mucormycosis.

Dr Sanjeev Kumar, Nodal Officer for COVID-19 at All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Patna, also said that the reports of White Fungus infection so far do not have enough evidence.

He said, " There is no evidence of the white fungus so far. There are only reports of the cases detected but there is no information about the infected patients. What is their biopsy report? Where are they admitted?"

Dr Kumar added, "Those cases can be of candidiasis ( a type of fungal infection by yeast) which are sometimes found in diabetes patients or COVID-19 patients. They are white in colour but they are normal as compared to Black Fungus."

He said that no patient so far has got infected with White Fungus post-COVID-19. However, Dr Kumar further said that the cases of Black Fungus infection have been on the rise. Currently, there are over 32 patients suffering from mucormycosis admitted in AIIMS Patna according to the doctor. He also said that 50 to 60 patients have been coming to the hospital on a daily basis saying that they contracted the Black Fungus.

There has been no authentic notification regarding the reported cases of White Fungus from official medical bodies such as ICMR, WHO, or the Union Health Ministry, Dr Kumar said.

According to the media reports on the White Fungus cases, a lung infection similar to that detected in COVID-19 patients have been seen in patients when they were put through High-resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT). As per a report by Indian Express, patients so far detected with White Fungus showed symptoms similar to COVID-19 but tested negative for the virus. The infection can be detected by CT-Scan or X-ray the report said.

The fungus reportedly poses danger by infecting vital organs such as the kidney, stomach, mouth, nail and private parts.