Public Health

BENGALURU (Reuters) - The Indian government has told doctors to look out for signs of mucormycosis or "black fungus" in COVID-19 patients as hospitals report a rise in cases of the rare but potentially fatal infection.

The state-run Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said at the weekend that doctors treating COVID-19 patients, diabetics and those with compromised immune systems should watch for early symptoms including sinus pain or nasal blockage on one side of the face, one-sided headache, swelling or numbness, toothache and loosening of teeth.

The disease, which can lead to blackening or discolouration over the nose, blurred or double vision, chest pain, breathing difficulties and coughing blood, is strongly linked to diabetes. And diabetes can in turn be exacerbated by steroids such as dexamethasone, used to treat severe COVID-19.

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Herd immunity unlikely: The world may need to live with the virus

Mon, 2021-05-10 10:07 — mike kraft

The world may need to learn to live with the virus.

Early in the pandemic, there was hope that the world would one day achieve herd immunity, the point when the coronavirus lacks enough hosts to spread easily. But over a year later, the virus is crushing India with a fearsome second wave and surging in countries from Asia to Latin America.

Experts now say it is changing too quickly, new more contagious variants are spreading too easily and vaccinations are happening too slowly for herd immunity to be within reach anytime soon.

That means if the virus continues to run rampant through much of the world, it is well on its way to becoming endemic, an ever-present threat.

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As India sets another record, main opposition leader warns COVID-19 wave also threatens other countries

Fri, 2021-05-07 11:33 — mike kraft

Gandhi warns 'explosive' COVID wave threatens India and the world India's main opposition leader Rahul Gandhi warned on Friday that unless the deadly second COVID-19 wave sweeping the country was brought under control it would devastate India as well as threaten the rest of the world. Anuron Mitra,Nivedita Bhattacharjee Reuters

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India's disaster finds echo in other countries facing COVID-19 surges

Fri, 2021-05-07 11:17 — mike kraft

India's disaster hangs over countries facing COVID-19 surges SOHAG, Egypt (AP) — Countries worldwide wrestling with new coronavirus surges are trying to ensure they aren’t hit by an India-style disaster. They face many of the same risks, including large populations that have shirked restrictions and fragile health systems shaken under the strain... AP NEWS

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India: Claims that Covid emergency relief is not reaching those in need

Thu, 2021-05-06 10:06 — mike kraft

India Covid aid: Is emergency relief reaching those in need? Emergency relief is flowing into India but concerns are mounting about delays in supply. BBC News

As India's devastating Covid-19 crisis mounted last month, countries around the world began sending emergency medical supplies to help stem the surge.

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