Ist case of black fungus detected in Jammu

First case of Mucormycosis (black fungus) was detected in the Jammu region today.

GMC Jammu Principal and HoD Microbiology Dr Shashi Sudhan Sharma confirmed that a 40-year-old man from the region, whose identity has been kept secret just like COVID victims, was detected as first case of black fungus, in the Jammu region today.

“The black fungus was caused by steroids induced with uncontrolled diabetes,” Dr Sharma said, adding sugar level of the patient was 900 when he was admitted in the GMC Jammu. The person, whose condition is stated to be critical, has already turned negative for COVID-19.

Dr Sharma said black fungus doesn’t spread from person to person.

“This is an avoidable complication that can be restricted by strictly monitoring the blood sugar levels of the COVID patients put on steroids. Moreover, Mucormycosis is not a communicable diseases and the spores of an opportunistic fungus known as Mucor which are in plenty in air may start germinating in the eyes and the nasal mucosa and start penetrating the eyeballs, brain, sinuses and facial bones etc,” the GMC Principal said .

It may be mentioned here that several cases of black fungus have surfaced in Maharashtra and other States among the patients who had recovered from COVID-19.

Meanwhile, RTPCR testing facility was today started in Maternity and Childcare Health (MCH) Gandhi Nagar hospital, Dr Sharma said.

This is seventh RTPCR testing lab started by the Microbiology Department of the GMC Jammu, the six others being ASCOMS Sidhra, IIIM, Command Hospital Udhampur and GMCs of Doda, Rajouri and Kathua.

Initially, the MCH Gandhi Nagar lab will conduct 1000 RTPCR tests in a day. Later, the tests will be increased to 2000 per day.