BHUBANESWAR: Number of mucormycosis (black fungus) patients at AIIMS Bhubaneswar has reached 40, including 12 suspected cases.
A separate ward has been created in the hospital’s ENT department for treatment of patients with mucormycosis.
AIIMS Bhubaneswar medical superintendent Sachidananda Mohanty said, “We have 12 suspected cases of black fungus out of the 40.
After reports come, we will confirm these cases.
More than 50% of black fungus patients are undergoing treatment in our hospital now.” He said four patients with mucormycosis have died and four others have been discharged from the hospital so far.
“As many as 23 patients have been referred to our hospital for treatment.
Surgery has been performed on 23 of the 40 patients so far,” he added.
Some patients have lost eyes due to black fungus infection.
AIIMS Bhubaneswar has conducted operation and removed eyes from five patients to save their lives.
Pradipta Kumar Parida, head of ENT department, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said it is very difficult to save patients once the fungus enters the brain.
“The fungal infection first affects the nasal cavity, sinus and then the eyes before entering the brain.
The patient may lose vision due to stoppage of vascular supply,” Parida said.
He said those with uncontrolled diabetes and suppressed immunity are vulnerable to this infection.
“Some Covid patients are having this infection.
Sometimes patients with severe complications due to black fungus come to our hospital for treatment late.
By the time they get admitted here, the infection is at an advanced stage and it becomes very difficult to save their organs,” Parida added.