Mumbai: BMC to track discharged Covid-19 patients for fungal growth

Representation pic

Alarmed by a sudden spurt in ‘black fungus' infections or mucormycosis in Mumbai, the BMC has decided to follow up with all Covid-19 patients post discharge. There are 151 mucormycosis patients admitted to BMC- and state-run hospitals in the city and most are from outside Mumbai, said officials. The fungus has a 70 per cent chance of mortality.

There are currently only two treatment options for mucormycosis. Representation pic

However, surgery and antifungal injections are two treatment options involving 3-4 weeks of hospitalisation Suresh Kakani, additional municipal commissioner, said ward officers have been told to check on recovered Covid-19 patients. "Every ward has a team that is managing and following up with Covid-19 patients in their ward. We have instructed them to closely monitor Covid-19 patients post discharge for possible symptoms of mucormycosis. This will help in screening and early detection of the fungal infection," said Kakani.

Also read: Why Covid-19 patients are vulnerable to mucormycosis, or black fungus; causes, symptoms, prevention

mid-day had earlier reported on the rising number of Covid-19 patients with the potentially fatal infection landing in city hospitals. Many have also lost vision and had disfigurement of face because of ‘black fungus'.

In the pre-Covid-19 era, mucormycosis was known to be a rare serious fungal infection seen in patients with poor immunity. It is caused by a group of moulds known as mucormycetes present naturally in the environment. Mucormycosis is said to invade the facial bones, the eye orbit and can sit in the brain.

"Our BMC run hospitals have 111 mucormycosis patients. Less than 10 per cent are from the city. Most of them come outside MMR like Nashik, Sangli and Kolhapur. Though extensive treatment is going on, we are even considering surgeries if necessary. The instructions have been given to the hospital to incur the expenses," said Kakani.

The official said the civic body has formed an expert team of doctors from ENT, Ophthalmology, Pathology, Microbiology departments to train Covid-19 hospital doctors and to ensure the right treatment. The corporation is also floating tenders to procure the anti-fungal injection required to treat mucormycosis and has asked hospitals to buy it locally for the time being.

Dr Ramesh Bharmal, dean of BYL Nair Hospital, said there is no reason to panic. "Post Covid-19, OPDs are available across the city and early detection is possible. Every year, 10 to 20 immunocompromised patients [with comorbidity of diabetes, cancer, neuro disorder] come with the disease for treatment. So our medical colleges have the experience to handle this infection."

He added that they have started readying their operation theatre as this is a fungus infection. As of now all the patients at Nair are responding to the treatment and there isn't any need for immediate operations.

151
No. of mucormycosis patients at BMC and govt hospitals