Probe link between Black Fungus, use of zinc in treatment of Covid patients: Experts

NEW DELHI: Nearly 9,000 cases of Mucormycosis or Black Fungus among Covid-19 patients have been reported from across India as of May 22. The rare disease, caused by a mould found in soil and in decaying organic matter, has claimed 212 lives, including 90 in Maharashtra and 61 in Gujarat.

The disease affects immuno-compromised individuals, ones with poorly controlled diabetes or those administered high doses of steroids. What is worrying is that the disease is now being seen in some youngsters with no history of immunosuppression.

Black Fungus has been declared an epidemic in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Odisha, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Telangana and Chandigarh. The orders were in response to the Union health ministry's directions, asking states/UTs to contain the spread of Mucormycosis in hospitals.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) reiterated the need for "meticulous adherence" to infection prevention and control norms. Emphasis was also laid on surveillance of ventilator-associated pneumonia, catheter-associated bloodstream infection, catheter-associated urinary tract infection, surgical site infections and gastrointestinal outbreaks.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, NITI Aayog member (health) Dr VK Paul said the surge in cases of Mucormycosis can be attributed to the disproportionate use of steroids in the treatment of Covid-19 patients.

'Link between Mucormycosis, zinc must be probed'

However, experts say the government must explore other reasons behind the surge in cases of Black Fungus in parts of the country. The blanket use of zinc in the treatment of Covid patients must stop, they say.

Former president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Dr Rajeev Jayadevan said, "Presence of metals such as zinc and iron in the body provides a suitable environment for the fungi that cause Black Fungus."

Dr Jayadevan adds that the link between zinc and Mucormycosis must be investigated in order to figure out concrete conclusions and credible solutions.

'Scaling up of anti-fungal treatment not the solution'

Head of Life Course Epidemiology at Public Health Foundation of India, Professor Giridhar Babu told India Today, "There are several hypotheses out there [for the Black Fungus epidemic] and most probably, it is multi-factorial in nature. Maybe it is the supply of medical oxygen, or the presence of co-morbidities."

"Simply the scaling up of anti-fungal treatment cannot address the issue in totality," says Dr Babu, adding, a competent mycologist (expert in fungal infections) and a team of biomechanical engineers should be able to investigate the cause of this epidemic.