Prepare to tackle black fungus: BSMMU VC
The meeting discussed and decided on the current status of black fungus, diagnosis, preparation of medical guidelines, provision of necessary medicines, identification of risks, and effective initiatives to create public awareness, etc
BSMMU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Md Sharfuddin Ahmed has given instructions to be ready for possible infection of black fungus or Mucormycosis, prevention against the infection, and overall treatment.
He gave these instructions today at a meeting on 'Possible Infection, Prevention and Management of black fungus or Mycobacterium in Bangladesh' held in his office with the chairpersons of various departments of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital (BSMMU).
The meeting discussed and decided on the current status of black fungus, diagnosis, preparation of medical guidelines, provision of necessary medicines, identification of risks, and effective initiatives to create public awareness, etc.
Sharfuddin Ahmed said that mucormycosis or black fungus refers to various diseases caused by a special type of microscopic fungal infection. Although the fungus is ubiquitous - spread in soil, water and air, the transmission capacity is so low that only 1-2 out of 100,000 people can be infected.
But if the body's immune system is weakened for any reason, the level of this infection can only increase - which can be 20 to 30 people in 1 lakh.
Patients with uncontrolled diabetes, especially those with ketoacidosis, are at higher risk.
In addition, patients with cancer, overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics, pregnant women, excessive steroids users, patients of kidney or other organ transplants, and people with severe malnutrition can be infected by black fungus.
Black fungus infection of may happen in deep skin wounds, lesions, or burns.
There have been reports of an alarming rate of black fungus infections among Covid-19 patients in some parts of India lately, but no outbreaks have been reported in Bangladesh so far. No cases of white fungus have been reported in the country either.
Between 50% and 80% of patients with black fungus infection die if they are not treated quickly and properly. And the death rate from internal infections is close to 100%.
Meanwhile, a159 people including Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader have been vaccinated with the second dose of Covid-19 in the midst of the ongoing strict lockdown on Monday at the Convention Center of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.
