Emphasizing on the need for more research on the cause of mucormycosis or black fungus, Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Tuesday said that 64 patients of black fungus found in the state never had COVID-19.
As per the analysis done by Health Department, out of 413 black fungus patients admitted to various hospitals in Haryana, 64 never had COVID, 79 are not diabetic patients, 110 had not taken steroids and 213 were not on oxygen therapy.
Hence, more research is needed on the cause of black fungus infection, Vij said.
The Health Minister said that the study showed that 213 of these black fungus patients undergoing treatment in the state did not even need oxygen therapy at any point of time.
It is a matter of concern for such patients to have black fungus, which needs the attention of scientists and the Central Government, he added.
Various health experts have stated that the underlying cause of black fungus in India is the unhygienic way of delivering oxygen to patients in many places, combined with the indiscriminate use of steroids in the treatment of COVID-19. Patients who are particularly vulnerable are those with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression by steroids, prolonged ICU stay, and comorbid.