Lauding Fortis Hospital for organising the informative session on Mucormycosisis, commonly called as Black Fungus, here on Thursday Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan stressed upon the need to educate people on the fungal infection.Incidence of Mucormycosis has shown significant rise in COVID patients. So, “Dissemination of information on fungal infection is necessary for early detection and reduction in morbidity and mortality,” said he. Deputy Commissioner also endorsed the opinion of doctors that such patients should undergo endoscopic diagnosis for early detection.Earlier, Dr. Ashok. K. Gupta, Director ENT, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, while speaking at a session said that early intervention and diagnosis can help in controlling Black Fungus among patients. Dr Gupta, who has treated many Mucormycosis patients at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, and earlier as Head Unit of Department, ENT, PGI, said, “Mucormycosis is an invasive, fungal infection caused by a class of moulds called Mucormycetes. The fungus enters the body by inhalation and affects the sinuses, orbit, brain and lungs.”
Dr Guptas stated that for Mucormycosis, high-risk category includes uncontrolled diabetes, immunocompromised status, prolonged use of steroids, co-morbidities and prolonged stay in the ICU.Discussing symptoms of the disease, it was informed that patients may experience periorbital swelling and pain, black discolouration of the skin, facial swelling and ulceration in the nasal cavity. If timely intervention is not done, symptoms can develop such as redness of eyes, drooping of eyelids, watering of eyes, double vision and in some cases, loss of vision. Facial nerve paralysis has also been observed.Stressing on measures to prevent the disease it was stated that early diagnosis and intervention is the need of the hour. People should ensure personal hygiene, wearing face masks and face shields to keep infections at bay.Mr. Anil Vinayak, Group COO Fortis Healthcare Ltd, Ashish Bhatia, Regional COO, Fortis Healthcare Ltd; and Abhijit Singh, Zonal Director, Fortis Hospital, Mohali and senior clinicians were present on the occasion.Pertinently, as many as 20 referral patients from NCR, Haryana and parts of Punjab have reported at the OPD or Emergency at Fortis, Mohali. Of these, five needing immediate surgical intervention were operated upon.