BENGALURU — The Indian government has told doctors to look out for signs of mucormycosis or “black fungus” in COVID-19 patients as hospitals report a rise in cases of the rare but potentially fatal infection. And diabetes can in turn be exacerbated by steroids such as dexamethasone, used to treat severe COVID-19. “And one of the reasons is lots and lots of diabetes, and lots of poorly controlled diabetes.”India has not published national data on mucormycosis but has said there is no major outbreak. Media reports have pointed to cases in Maharashtra and its capital Mumbai, and Gujarat. Aparna Mukherjee, a scientist at ICMR, said: “It’s not something to panic about, but you have to be aware of when to seek consultation.”But it is a complication that India’s overwhelmed hospitals, desperately short of beds as well as the oxygen needed for severely ill COVID-19 patients, could do without.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 13, 2021 19:52 UTC