Leading financial derivatives provider has assets valued at $580 million
finance2 hours ago
A rapid rise in cases of mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, has added to the challenges faced by India's healthcare system as it deals with a massive second wave of Covid-19 infections.
The following lays out information about mucormycosis, opinions from health experts and the scientific evidence behind what could be driving the recent rise in cases.
What is mucormycosis?
Mucormycosis is a fungal infection that causes blackening or discoloration over the nose, blurred or double vision, chest pain, breathing difficulties and coughing blood.
The disease has a close link to diabetes, and conditions which compromise the immune system. Experts have said that an overuse during the Covid-19 pandemic of certain drugs which suppress the immune system could be causing the surge.
Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that mucormycosis has a mortality rate of 54 per cent, which can vary depending on the condition of the patients and the body part affected.
States across India have reported more than 5,000 cases of the otherwise rare disease in recent weeks, mostly in people infected with Covid-19 or recovering from the disease.
Is it contagious?
The disease is not contagious, which means that it cannot spread from contact between humans or animals. But it does spread from fungal spores that are present in the air or in the environment, which are almost impossible to avoid.
"Bacteria and fungi are present in our bodies already, but they are kept in check by the body's immune system," said K Bhujang Shetty, head of Narayana Nethralaya a specialty eye hospital. "When the immune system goes down because of cancer treatment, diabetes or use of steroids, then these organisms get an upper hand and they multiply," said Shetty.
Is the use of unsanitised oxygen cylinders or ventilators causing the outbreak?
It's hard to say.
Experts say that unsanitary conditions could increase the risk of developing the infections.
"There is a lot of contamination in the pipes used for oxygen, the cylinders that are being used, the humidifiers used," said Nishant Kumar, an ophthalmologist at Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai.
"If you are immuno-suppressed, and you have been on these pipes and oxygens for a long period of time, then these infections get much more of an opportunity to get in."
But opinion is divided on this point.
"Hospitals were dirty even before April. We need epidemiological studies to assess why these cases are rising now," said S.P. Kalantri, senior doctor and researcher at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences in Maharashtra.
Why mucormycosis and not other fungal infections?
Covid-19 has been associated with a wide range of secondary bacterial and fungal infections, but experts say India's second wave of Covid-19 has created a perfect environment for mucormycosis.
Low oxygen, diabetes, high iron levels, immuno-suppression, coupled with several other factors including prolonged hospitalization with mechanical ventilators, creates an ideal milieu for contracting mucormycosis, researchers wrote in the journal Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews.
Leading financial derivatives provider has assets valued at $580 million
finance2 hours ago
The group's billionaire chairman, Gautam Adani, and seven other people were charged with agreeing to pay around $265 million in bribes to Indian government officials
business2 hours ago
Drivers are urged to follow changing speed limits displayed on electronic information boards
weather3 hours ago
Future phases will be announced to include other services for unmanned aerial vehicle, such as flying operations for amateur individuals
uae4 hours ago
Dubai American Academy converts cafeteria food waste into fertiliser after installing a ‘food-to-fertiliser machine’ on its premises
uae4 hours ago
Doctors warn of a visible rise in oral herpes cases among school-aged children in the country especially in the cooler winter months
uae4 hours ago
The 132-storey Burj Azizi, which will stand 725m tall, is scheduled for completion by 2028
realty4 hours ago
On the back of his fabulous innings, the Samp Army managed to chase down the total of 104 set up by Chennai Brave Warriors
cricket8 hours ago