Tripura Reports Its First Case Of Black Fungus Infection In Covid Patient

Black Fungus: Tripura Minister Ratanlal Nath said the infection was found in a 68-year-old patient who was undergoing treatment for Covid at a private hospital in Agartala

Tripura reported its first case of Mucormycosis or Black Fungus in a COVID-19 patient, two days after the infection was declared an epidemic by the centre. Announcing the first case, Tripura Education Minister Ratanlal Nath said the infection was found in a 68-year old patient who was undergoing treatment for Covid at a private hospital in Agartala. "The centre asked the state government to include Mucormycosis under Epidemic Diseases Act, 1987 and to report all suspected and confirmed cases in each district under all facility level which will be shared to the health department," Mr Nath said. Mucormycosis is a rare opportunistic infection caused by the Black Fungi, which can harm the sinuses, nasal passages, oral cavity and brain. The otherwise commonly found in the environment fungi rarely infects the human body. The chances of its infection, however, increase with diabetes and those in immunocompromised conditions, which is generally the case among Covid patients with diabetes as comorbidity.