• Twelve COVID-19 patients have so far been diagnosed with ‘Black Fungus’
• All of them are diabetic patients. Hence, it is always important for people with diabetes to control their blood sugar level

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

The ‘Black Fungus’ academically named as ‘mucormycosis’ could cause damage to eyes and brains resulting in vision loss if immediate medical assistance is not sought, a Medical Expert said yesterday.  

Consultant Medical Mycologist from the Medical Research Institute, Colombo- Dr. Primali Jayasekera said twelve COVID-19 patients had so far been diagnosed with ‘Black Fungus’, in the country.  

“Two patients were initially reported from Ratnapura in June, three from the Trincomalee General Hospital, four patients from the Colombo National Hospital and one each from the Karapitiya, Ratnapura and Kalubowila Teaching Hospitals by September,” she elaborated.  

“All of them are diabetic patients. Hence, it is always important for people with diabetes to control their blood sugar level,” Dr. Jayasekera underlined.  

“The fungi can be found around the nose and eyes, there could also be  pain in the face when infected with black fungus,” she said.  

Dr. Jayasekara added that this disease did not spread from person to person and added that people whose immune system  was very low, were vulnerable to get infected by the disease.