Another black fungus (Mucormycosis) patient has been identified in Chattogram and is being treated at the Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) since August 6.
This patient, unlike the previous one, did not test positive for Covid-19 but had contact with a Covid-19 patient, reports our correspondent quoting CMCH doctors.
The 45-year-old man has had diabetes for years, according to them.
Prof Dr Sujat Paul, head of the Medicine Department at CMCH said, the patient was diagnosed with Mucormycosis on August 5 and was admitted to the hospital the next day.
"After a thorough investigation, it was confirmed that he has been infected with Mucormycosis, a type of fungal infection commonly known as black fungus," he said, adding that "the patient felt toothache and his face was swollen."
"Only Covid-19 patients are not necessarily vulnerable to Mucormycosis infection," Dr Paul said when asked why the patient was infected with Mucormycosis despite the fact that he had not tested positive for coronavirus.
"This fungus is found all around us in nature, but it cannot infect healthy people's immune system," he explained. "People with weakened immune system due to diseases such as cancer, renal failure, HIV, and diabetes are vulnerable to Mucormycosis."
"Covid-19 patients who have to take steroid for a long time are also vulnerable," Dr Paul said, adding, "Patients who receive long-term treatment in ICU are also vulnerable."
Earlier on July 26, a 60-year-old Covid-19 survivor was detected with Mucormycosis in Chattogram.
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