Mumbai: Mucormycosis has seen a significant decline in cases, but the deadly fungal infection continues to affect Covid-19 patients.
In August, the state reported 161 cases of mucatorcosis despite a decrease in Covid-19 infection.
However, August cases were a massive decline of more than 5,644 reported in May, 2,653 in June and 675 in July.
Dr.
Pradeep Vyas, additional head secretary (Health), said more than 1,700 people continue to undergo treatment for mukormycosis in the state.
The fungal infection that sees exponential surge in the second wave has affected 10,104 people so far.
“Mucormycosis has a 20% death rate.
In advanced cases, people must also go through weakening operations such as eye removal, jaw, which causes defects.
We must remain vigilant, prevent it and detect them earlier,” he said.
While the mortality rate for mucorikosis may be 20% for the state, certain districts see a much higher mortality rate.
Palghar has the highest death rate (45.4%) as five out of 11 confirmed mukormycosis cases surrendered to him.
Washim, Ratnagiri, Satara and Jalgaon recorded a mortality rate of more than 21%.
Mumbai also saw a 20% mortality rate as 136 dead from 680 reception.
In absolute numbers, Nagpur saw 467 deaths, the highest in the state.
Dr.
Rahul Pandit, member of the Covid-19 task unit, believes steroid abuse and patients with uncontrolled SUG-AR levels create fertile land for mukormycosis.
“80% of patients have uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
Therefore, monitoring sugar levels must be the sixth parameter of the sixth, in addition to temperature, BP, pulse, oxytension and respiratory rate examination,” he said.
But Dr.
Vasant Nagvestar, an expert infectious disease, believes that the Delta variant causes an immune oppression.