Expert panel to study Post-Covid black fungus infection: Dr.K.Sudhakar

Treatment facility set up in Bowring Hospital, Wenlock, KMC and 3 other regional centres across the state

Bengaluru, May 17, 2021: Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar has asked hospitals to report Mucormycosis cases to the government.

He was speaking to the media here after a meeting with experts and officials regarding Black Fungus.

“Black fungus is a post-Covid complication and those who are have uncontrolled diabetes and use high dosage of steroids are vulnerable for this disease. Those who under go organ transplantation and those with immunocompromised conditions like HIV are also likely to contract this. Such category of people should be more cautious,” the Minister said.

“The fungus enters through nasal cavity in the persons with low immunity. Then it will attack eye sight. One should get treatment immediately after it enters nose. It is learnt that the water used in humidifiers in hospitals is causing this. Experts panel has been set up to find out the exact cause of this disease. Measures will be taken after the expert committee submit its report,” he said.

Treatment facility at Bowring hospital

Amphotericin injection is being given for the treatment of this disease. A single patient needs 40-60 vials of this medicine. Centre has approved 1,050 vials out of which 450 vials have been supplied to our state. Also we have placed order for 20,000 vials. 97 people have been reported with this infection so far and they are being treated at Bowring hospital on experimental basis, said the Minister.

Black fungus treatment will soon be started at Mysuru Medical college, Shivamogga Medical college, JIMS, KIMS, Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru and KMC Hospital in Udupi. This will facilitate the people of the respective districts to get the treatment at their own district.

Other Points made by the Minister

• Steroid should not be administered without prescription of doctors. Government is not providing steroids to those in home isolation.

• Government is having information on persons infected with Black fungus at Private and government hospitals. Treatment will be provided to them accordingly.

• Both Covid and Black fungus patients are treated free of cost.