Assam reports the first black fungus related death in Guwahati Hospital

Guwahati reported first death due to black fungus on Wednesday. A 27-year-old youth who hailed from Nagaon was first admitted to a government hospital but was later shifted to a private hospital in the city as he needed prompt and better treatment.

The person was diabetic and the scattered blackish spots over his face, nose, eyes and ears indicated that it might be signs of black fungus. Biopsy reports later confirmed that it was a case of black fungus. Even though the boy succumbed to Covid related complications but he later tested negative.

Dr Anup Kumar Barman, director of medical education, Assam said that during the time of admission at the hospital, the oxygen saturation was extremely low in the patient's body.

Health experts say that people with diabetes, cancer patients, patients with kidney failure, one who had an organ transplant and the one who suffer from low immunity are at high risk of fungal infections.

Barman said that fungal infection is common in patients in the ICU and elderly patients even go through invasive ventilatory support.

Health experts say that people with diabetes, cancer patients, patients with kidney failure, one who had an organ transplant and the one who suffer from low immunity are at high risk of fungal infections.

It is said that when a patient continues to get humidified oxygen that contains water vapour, it helps to grow the fungus. Covid precipitates black fungus infection since many infected patients are regularly given oxygen support.