Rare case of post-dengue black fungus found: Delhi hospital

A "rare" case of mucormycosis has been reported in a 49-year-old male patient at Apollo Hospital in Delhi post his recovery from dengue, doctors said on Saturday.

The patient had come to the hospital, complaining about a sudden loss of vision in one eye, 15 days after his recovery from the vector-borne disease, according to the hospital's statement.

Mucormycosis post dengue is a new observation and hence, patients with a recent history of dengue should remain actively updated about their health and consult a healthcare expert immediately after noticing any new symptoms, doctors at the Apollo hospital said.

Also watch: editorji Covid guide | What is Black Fungus infection and how to prevent it?

The case comes amid a huge spike in the number of dengue cases in the national capital.

According to a civic report on vector-borne diseases released on Monday, nine deaths and a total of 2,708 dengue cases have been recorded this season till November 6, which is the highest count since 2017 for the same period.

Mucormycosis or the "black fungus" is more common among people whose immunity has got lowered due to Covid-19, diabetes, kidney disease, liver or cardiac disorders, age-related issues or those on medication for auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

During the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic earlier this year, a large number of cases of the "black fungus" were reported throughout the country.