Fungal infection is not communicable: AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria

After cases of black fungus and white fungus were reported in the country, Dr Randeep Guleria, director of Delhi AIIMS, on Monday said the colour of fungus can be seen differently if it develops in different areas but it is not a communicable disease.

He added, “People with low immunity are infected with mucormycosis, Candida and asporogenous infections. These fungi mainly found in sinuses, nose, bone around eyes and can enter brain. These fungi are occasionally found in lungs (pulmonary mucormycosis) or in gastrointestinal tract.”

This comes after one case of yellow fungus was reported in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad. 

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He stated that there was a dip in new COVID cases and there has been 2.6 times increase in the number of COVID tests done in the past 15 weeks in the country.

Talking about the effect of the pandemic on children and young people, AIIMS, Delhi director Randeep Guleria noted, “Children suffered collateral damage due to mental stress, smartphone addiction and education challenges amid the ongoing pandemic.” The ministry added that there is no indication as of now that children will be severely affected in the third wave of COVID-19.

India is currently battling second wave of coronavirus, reporting more than 2 lakh new cases everyday.