COVID-19 pandemic now compounded by panic over black fungus
A man has died in a Dhaka hospital from a fungal infection that is affecting some of the patients who recovered from COVID-19. Similar cases have been reported in neighbouring India. Bangladeshi authorities are calling for calm, but extend school lockdown and border closure with India.
Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Panic is spreading in Bangladesh, like in India, over a mycosis, an infectious disease caused by a pathogenic fungus linked to COVID-19.
Just as the government was set to reopen schools, the mucormycosis (black fungus) has spread to the capital, setting off alarm bells.
The fungus has been found among people who tested positive for the coronavirus as well as those who became ill with COVID-19 and recovered from the disease.
The fungus affects nose, eyes and sinuses. Patients with kidney disease or cardiac and liver disorders are at high risk.
In light of the situation, Education Minister Dipu Moni extended the lockdown of schools and other educational establishments until 12 June.
Yesterday, a patient suspected of suffering from the black fungus died at Birdem Hospital in Dhaka.
According to doctors, his is probably the first case in Bangladesh of a person who recovered from COVID-19 only to die from this rare fungal infection.
The black fungus was detected in two other patients in the same hospital, and they too had recovered from COVID-19.
“The deceased man came from Satkhira, an area on the border with India,” said Dr Nazmul Islam, Birdem Hospital's deputy director. “He had tested positive for COVID-19 a month ago, and was admitted to our hospital with post-COVID complications. He also suffered from diabetes.”
Videos and images related to this disease posted on social media are spreading panic among Bangladeshis. This has prompted the government to call for calm.
For Health Minister Zahid Maleque, “There is no need to panic over the black fungus. It can be prevented through awareness.”
Meanwhile, a surge in COVID-19 cases has been reported in Chapai Nawabganj, a northern district famous for its mangos, where it is harvest season.
In just a week, the positivity rate went from 10 to 55 per cent forcing the authorities to decree a strict lockdown with a ban on entering or leaving the area until 30 May.
Since the district in question is on the border with India, the virus might have been imported. This is a major headache for Bangladesh since 30 of the country’s 32 districts share a border with India, the country most affected by the coronavirus. To meet this challenge, Bangladeshi authorities are trying to ensure that no one illegally enters the country from India.
As of yesterday, Bangladesh has reported 796,126 cases, with 732,810 people recovered, and 12,441 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
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20/12/2023 11:51
06/03/2018 16:54
