Andhra Pradesh is witnessing several cases of Black Fungus infection. The illness is a side effect of the Wuhan virus (Novel Coronavirus) disease.
The first case of Black Fungus infection was reported in Kakinada on the 15th of May. Later, people were infected with Black fungus in Ongole and Prakasam districts as well.
In Ongole, a 26 year old S. Murali was infected with the new infection. After recovering from the Wuhan virus (COVID-19) Murali complained of blurred vision a few days later. When he visited a doctor, he was confirmed to be infected by the Black Fungus infection.
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In Prakasam, six people contracted the Black fungus infection. The major reason behind contracting this post Wuhan virus side effect (Black fungus,) is the use of steroids for the COVID-19 treatment. The steroids help with the breathing difficulty, however the same steroids make the body susceptible to the fungus– which is already in the soil and can be airborne. As of now, it is difficult to say what could be an efficient cure for the newly found Black Fungus infection. However, many private hospitals in Andhra Pradesh are reported to have charged a fortune in order to cure the disease. With this, the people of Andhra Pradesh are not only fearing the second wave of the Wuhan virus, but new Black Fungus too.
In regard to the rising number of Black Fungus infections, the Andhra Pradesh Government is taking all the necessary steps. The Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) Government allocated 1,600 drug vials for the treatment of the Black Fungus infection.
Anil Kumar Singhal, the Principal Secretary of A.P., Health Department, said, “We will be placing an order for procurement of these vials at the earliest. There are several confusing and contradictory reports on black fungus cases circulating in social media and published by a section of media. We are collecting information from every hospital, before putting facts before the public (sic.)”
Mr. Anil Kumar Singhal also said the YSRCP Government started a door to door survey, on the 15th of May. On the first day, 30 to 40 % of the population was covered, and around 39,000 people were identified with fever and other symptoms. Samples of the suspected cases were tested and they were advised home isolation. A few others suffering from fever were given medications. According to sources, Black Fungus is infecting people as a side effect of the Coronavirus treatment. In regard to controlling the Black Fungus cases, the State Government is putting every effort to curb the spread of the Wuhan virus.
Anil Kumar Singhal shared the A.P., Government’s strategy to control the Wuhan virus and said, “We are continuously monitoring where Asha workers visit, and the places where they identify suspected cases, and a follow-up action is initiated. The objective is to ensure that cases are identified at initial stages and treated, so that they do not become severe. This brings down hospital admissions, too (sic.)”
In fresh developments, in order to curtail the spread of the virus, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Chief Minister of A.P., extended the ongoing curfew. The curfew which started from the 5th of May and was till the 18th of May, has now been extended till the 31st of May.
