The increasing number of Mucormycosis cases in Maharashtra has raised concerns for the government as the state public health department has received instructions to manage the crisis. Owing to the rise, the department recently listed Mucormycosis to be treated as an emergency disease, basis which free medical aid will be offered from the government and ones who have to pay for the treatment will be able to claim the cost under the insurance scheme if any.
A report regarding the same was published in the Hindustan Times which stated that over 54% of patients affected with the cases have been reported serious and doctors have consistently noticed an increasing fatality rate. Moreover, blindness is one of the leading conditions observed in the patients and keeping the rise in mind, it could get serious if the coronavirus (COVID-19) fourth wave hits the state.
Experts have advised the citizens to take utmost care as the infection could be difficult to treat for many patients. Citizens with a record of diabetes have to stay alert as the fungal infection has been observed to affect a large group of patients, especially during COVID-19 treatment of Covid-19. Previously called zygomycosis, the condition is caused due to fungal infection from the environment and affects those who have been taking medications to get germs and sickness and/or the ones who have previous health problems. Primary symptoms of the condition include impact on sinuses or the lungs as the fungal spores inhaled from the air could affect the breathing. Meanwhile, spores could also enter the system if one has a skin injury, cut or burn.
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Sharing more details regarding the same, Hindustan Times quoted Sanjay Khandhare, Principal Secretary of the Public Health Department, who said, “Cases of Mucormycosis have increased because of Covid-19 treatment. This was never included in earlier categories of diseases. As medical experts are predicting a fourth wave, hence, we listed it now.”
“The government will now take steps to treat it. Usually, immunity drastically decreases in patients. In many cases, people have lost their eyes permanently,” Dr Avinash Supe, former dean of KEM hospital, further added.
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Expert studying Mucormycosis and working closely with the government, Dr Hemant Deshmukh, said that the patients can seek help from the government if their condition gets serious. Moreover, officials from the health department have added that citizens can avail free treatment under Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, in cases where getting insurance claims becomes difficult.
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