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 The following lays out information about mucormycosis, opinions from
health experts and the scientific evidence behind what could be
driving the recent rise in cases.
WHAT IS MUCORMYCOSIS?
Mucormycosis is a fungal infection that causes blackening or
discoloration over the nose, blurred or double vision, chest pain,
breathing difficulties and coughing blood.
The disease has a close link to diabetes, and conditions which
compromise the immune system. Experts have said that an overuse
during the COVID-19 pandemic of certain drugs which suppress the
immune system could be causing the surge.
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows
that mucormycosis has a mortality rate of 54%, which can vary
depending on the condition of the patients and the body part
affected.
States across India have reported more than 5,000 cases of the
otherwise rare disease in recent weeks, mostly in people infected
with COVID-19 or recovering from the disease.
IS IT CONTAGIOUS?
The disease is not contagious, which means that it cannot spread
from contact between humans or animals. But it does spread from
fungal spores that are present in the air or in the environment,
which are almost impossible to avoid.
"Bacteria and fungi are present in our bodies already, but they are
kept in check by the body’s immune system," said K Bhujang Shetty,
head of Narayana Nethralaya a specialty eye hospital. "When the
immune system goes down because of cancer treatment, diabetes or use
of steroids, then these organisms get an upper hand and they
multiply," said Shetty.
IS THE USE OF UNSANITIZED OXYGEN CYLINDERS OR VENTILATORS CAUSING
THE OUTBREAK?
It's hard to say.
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 Experts say that unsanitary
conditions could increase the risk of developing
the infections.
"There is a lot of contamination in the pipes
used for oxygen, the cylinders that are being
used, the humidifiers used," said Nishant Kumar,
an ophthalmologist at Hinduja Hospital in
Mumbai. "If you are immuno-suppressed,
and you have been on these pipes and oxygens for a long period of
time, then these infections get much more of an opportunity to get
in."
But opinion is divided on this point.
"Hospitals were dirty even before April. We need epidemiological
studies to assess why these cases are rising now," said S.P.
Kalantri, senior doctor and researcher at the Mahatma Gandhi
Institute of Medical Sciences in Maharashtra. WHY
MUCORMYCOSIS AND NOT OTHER FUNGAL INFECTIONS?
COVID-19 has been associated with a wide range of secondary
bacterial and fungal infections, but experts say India's second wave
of COVID-19 has created a perfect environment for mucormycosis.
Low oxygen, diabetes, high iron levels, immuno-suppression, coupled
with several other factors including prolonged hospitalization with
mechanical ventilators, creates an ideal milieu for contracting
mucormycosis, researchers wrote in the journal Diabetes & Metabolic
Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews.
 (Reporting by Manas Mishra And Kannaki Deka; Editing by Mark
Heinrich)
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