Mucormycosis Not New, But Cases Have Increased Manifold This Year: Expert

As coronavirus cases continue to dip in Punjab and Haryana, the region faces another challenge "Mucormycosis". But is it a new unknown disease? Speaking to NDTV, Dr Arunaloke Chakrabarti, heading the department of microbology in PGI Chandigarh, explains that how the premiere health institute had treated patients with this infection last year as well. Dr Chakrabarti shared that Mucormycosis cases have increased not only due to Covid but there are other factors like diabetic condition, use of steroids and enviromental conditions. "We as a part of Fungal Infection Study Forum have done a study on Mucormycosis in 2020 and the reports will be published soon. 2020 saw more cases of Mucormycosis than 2019 and the trend continues with more case being reported this year," said Dr Chakrabarty who is also the president of International Society for Human and Animal Micology.