Gujarat / Cases of fungal infection 'nasal aspergillosis' found at Gujarat hospital amid COVID-19

Ahmedabad: Amid the rising number of black, yellow and white fungus cases, another fungal infection ‘aspergillosis’ has been reported in Gujarat’s Vadodara. What is more worrying is that that the doctors have found the invasive fungal infection among Covid-positive patients as well as those who have recovered from coronavirus.

According to a report published in Indian Express, at least eight patients with aspergillosis have been found at SSG Hospital in Vadodara.

Speaking exclusively to the leading media house, Dr Sheetal Mistry said that aspergillosis infection is being found in patients who have recovered from Covid or are undergoing treatment for the same.

Dr Mistry, who is the advisor for Covid-19 to the Vadodara administration, said that the invasive fungal infection, aspergillosis, is being witnessed in COVID patients due to the usage of steroids as well as the ‘use of non-sterile water used for hydrating the oxygen supply.

Meanwhile, Gujarat's coronavirus tally increased to 8,00,866 with the addition of 2,869 cases on May 27. With 33 more patients succumbing due to the deadly contagious disease, the fatality count to 9.734.

Of late, Mucormycosis/black fungus cases have been on the rise across the country. Several states have declared mucormycosis as a notifiable disease so that the number of infections could be tracked.

The Union health ministry has also confirmed that Mucormycosis is being reported in a few COVID-19 patients during or post recovery. 

Mucormycosis or black fungus is a complication caused by a fungal infection. People catch mucormycosis by coming in contact with the fungal spores in the environment. It can also develop on the skin after the fungus enters the skin through a cut, scrape, burn, or other type of skin trauma, as per the health ministry.

Meanwhile, cases of white fungus and yellow fungus have also been registered in some states.