First Black fungus case detected in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Following media reports on increased cases of mucormycosis or black fungus disease in Odisha, the Health and Family Welfare Department today accepted that one such patient has been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar.

In a statement, the Health department said condition of the 71-year-old man suffering from black fungus is stable. The department further stated no other cases of black fungus have been reported elsewhere in the state.

The statement further said the man had tested positive for Covid-19 on April 20, 2021 and was under home isolation. After he complained of swelling in eyes and blackish discharge from nose, a nasal endoscopy was carried out on him. The endoscopy showed black deposits on his turbinate.

The man has also uncontrolled diabetes and is currently on antidiabetic and antifungal treatment at the private hospital, the statement added.

“Since literature suggest increased incidence of Mucormycosis in Covid because of increased steroid use, in absence of such history direct link cannot be established between Covid infection and Mucormycosis in instant case,” the Health department stated.

The statement added the man might be an isolated case who contracted the fungal disease during his home isolation by using old air cooler without water was changed.