Reza Mahmud :
Black fungus, a new disease has finally arrived in Bangladesh.
Sources said, Mucormycosis or black fungus is a fatal disease which creates horrific situation in India when the country is suffering from deteriorating covid-19 condition.
The health authorities as well the people of Bangladesh were under threat of attack by the deadly bacteria borne disease as it had already attacked seriously in the neighbouing India.
BIRDEM Hospital in Dhaka confirmed that they had detected at least two persons infected with the ‘Black Fungus’.
Officials from BIRDEM Hospital said, one of the patient age is 45 who was infected with black fungus on May 8.
Another person, 60, was infected with the fungus identified on May 23.
They said that both the persons recovered from the Covid-19 infection.
Besides, one patient died in BIRDEM three days ago who might be infected with the fungus, the physicians’ suspects.
Human health experts asked the government to prepare guidelines to combat the new threat.
Meanwhile, they also asked people not to be panicked. Different studies suggested that the black fungus was not contagious. That means it cannot spread from contact between humans or animals. But it spreads from fungal spores that are present in the air or in the environment. Human health experts said that the persons with weak immune system in body may be the victim of the bacteria borne disease. They said people who have weak lung may be victimized with the disease.
As the covid patients’ lung are mostly infected and become weak, they might be victimized from the black fungus, experts said.
Besides, India’s health authorities have warned that the black fungus with a 50 percent mortality rate is linked with Covid-19.
They suggested that old ages people, patients, especially people who recovered or infected with Covid-19 should be aware of the black fungus.
“People with weak immune system must follow cautionary measures to be safe from the fatal bacterial disease. The black fungus may be found in dirty places, in mud and dusts. So, the vulnerable group of people should avoid such environment or places,” eminent Virologist Professor Dr. Nazrul Islam, former Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University told The New Nation on Tuesday.
He said people who have strong immune system should not be panicked over the disease.
Professor Dr. M. Muzaherul Huq, former Advisor of the World Health Organisation told The New Nation, “Regarding Black fungus we have to prepare ourselves too. Government must again be vigilant and monitor the development regarding the fungus and its spreading in Bangladesh.”
He suggested the government to take specific measures and to take steps for crating public awareness on this regard.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Tuesday said in a programme, there is no matter to be panicked though black fungus has been detected in two person’s bodies in the country.
The minister said that he had asked pharmaceuticals companies to produce medicines to treat black fungus disease.
Besides, Professor Dr. Nazmul Islam, Spokesman of the Directorate General of Health Services said in a programme that the authorities were on high alert so that the black fungus cannot put additional pressure on Bangladesh’s health system.
He said that the health authorities are preparing guideline for combating the black fungus.
