Black Fungus: Delhi Records 944 Cases and Facing Shortage of Drugs

About 944 people have been affected with mucormycosis or black fungus in Delhi's hospitals. However, the hospitals are lacking medicines to treat these patients, said Delhi Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

There may have been a decrease in cases of coronavirus infections in Delhi but hundreds of people are still suffering from black fungus. According to the Delhi government, medicines were being made available to it in a limited quantity by the Central government.

Mucormycosis (Black Fungal Disease): A Complication of COVID-19
Mucormycosis is spread by spores from the black fungus, Mycormycetes. It mainly affects people with a weak immune system and attacks the lungs and other organs of the body. It is also known as Black Fungal Disease.

‘Delhi Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that whatever problems the citizens of Delhi are facing will be rectified soon.’

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Giving information about the cases of black fungus, Kejriwal said nearly 944 cases of black fungus have been reported in Delhi, of these nearly 300 patients are being treated in various Central government-run hospitals here.

Kejriwal said nearly 650 patients with black fungus are undergoing treatment in Delhi government-run hospitals. However, there is a shortage of injections needed to treat patients suffering from black fungus in Delhi government-run hospitals.

On Saturday, nearly 1,000 injections were supplied to Delhi. This number is quite low because a single patient receives three to four vaccine jabs in a day. No vaccines were supplied to the national capital on Sunday.

Zinc Use may Increase the Risk of Black Fungus
Multiple factors are playing a role in black fungus infection among COVID-19 patients and the high intake zinc supplements in the pandemic may also be one of the key factors.

Meanwhile, the unlocking process started in Delhi from Monday with people facing some difficulty in getting an e-pass for reporting to office.

Responding to these problems, the Chief Minister said whatever problems the citizens of Delhi are facing will be rectified soon.

New Anti-fungal Drug Posaconazole to Treat Black Fungus
MSN Laboratories Pvt Ltd (MSN) has launched Posaconazole in India to treat the black fungal disease, mucormycosis.

"I saw that there were glitches while accessing e-passes on the Delhi government's portal. The problem will be fixed. As we get feedback from people about things causing inconvenience to them, we will fix the glitches," Kejriwal added.

Kejriwal on Monday also opened a free vaccination center for inoculating journalists and their families at Rajkiya Sarvodaya Bal Kanya Vidyalaya, Mata Sundri Road, New Delhi. Journalists and their families from age group of 18 to 44 years and above 45 years can get vaccinated at this center and will also be able to register themselves on the spot.

Black Fungus of Intestine: New COVID-19 Complication
In Delhi, a new complication of mucormycosis or black fungal infection infecting the lower intestine of two patients has been detected.

"I am very happy that this arrangement has been launched in a government school on Monday. Both Hindi and English journalists and their families between age group of 18 to 44 years and above 45 years can come here and get vaccinated," Kejriwal said.

Registration will be done on the spot to receive vaccine jabs. "I appeal to all journalists and their families that they should come in large numbers so that everyone gets vaccinated."

Source-IANS