According to the CDC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mucormycosis is a rare invasive fungal infection caused by molds that can be found in most moist or wet environments. Notably, the fungal infection mainly affects individuals with already compromised immune systems and often attacks their respiratory tracts. The infection’s mortality rate is also incredibly high, with an overall mortality rate of 54% but does vary from patient to patient. Currently, you might know of the infection by another name, the ‘black fungus’.
With India’s recent and still ongoing COVID crisis, the already overwhelming numbers of patients requiring care increased with cases of mucormycosis infections piling into various Indian states. The western state of Maharashtra has been hit especially hard, with 2,000 cases recorded, 90 deaths, 800 hospitalized patients, and almost 100 cases every day (all as of May 19, 2021). In addition, the liposomal amphotericin B injections that the nation has used to treat prior infections are manufactured domestically. And these domestic manufacturers are struggling to keep up with the sudden surge in infections and demand for the drug. In response, many desperate patients and families have turned to the black market and other sources for replacements. Though, on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, India’s Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers came out and stated that the government is already “committed to making all possible and necessary efforts to make it available to needy patients… the shortage is expected to get resolved at the earliest.”
Researchers also have reason to believe that the ‘immunosuppressants like’ steroids that Indian COVID-19 patients receive in their treatment place those patients at a higher risk of contracting the infection. This is due to the steroid's purpose of lowering a patient’s hyperactive immune system back down and thus compromising the immune system. Furthermore, the surge in cases can also be linked to the humidifiers the nation has been using to deliver oxygen to hospitals and COVID patients. Again, this is because mucormycosis is caused by molds found in wet environments and on wet forces. Overall, since the rise in infections is still incredibly recent, we still do not know India’s next steps in fighting the spread and how they might juggle the weight of both mucormycosis and COVID-19.
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Discussion Questions:
In a fight against two infectious and fatal diseases, which should a country choose to prioritize and why?
When should nations step in to help other countries in need? And do you think there may be a point where another nation might be helping out too much?
I think that both are really important, if people are dying then it is important because its a life. I think that the country should focus on solving both issues and work together with their citizens and solve both problems. Nations should step in to help other countries in need when the issue is barley starting. If a nation can do something to make the issue stop before it becomes to much then they should help. I don't think that at any point a country would help to much, unless they are doing it for self interest to build a strong relationship with that country and have them as their ally.
ReplyDeleteIn the fight against two infectious and fatal disease, I think that it depends when a country has to pick a disease to deal with first. Usually, I would say that the disease that is the most manageable in terms of resources and manpower along with being the one that would become easy to protect the people against would be the one that nations should strive to eradicate, but on the other hand, if the other disease happens to be extremely contagious and extremely fatal, then steps must be taken to minimize its impact and the potential danger before the other one can be dealt with.
ReplyDeleteI think that nations should help other countries when they believe that they have the resources that are needed and maybe even when they feel like they are getting something out of it. I don't think that there is any situation where a nation is helping out too much unless they have the intention of taking over. When it gets to the extreme of helping out that could be not allowing the country that you are trying to help have a say in the decisions.
ReplyDeleteNations should step in to help other countries in need as soon as they recognize that a country is struggling and unable to protect itself because they don’t have enough resources. It is beneficial if a nation can provide help to another country early, so it is easier to mitigate and de-escalate the problem. Currently, India is struggling to battle both viruses, so it important for other nations to step in and provide resources until the problem is contained. I don’t think there is a point where another nation might be helping out too much unless that nation has the wrong intentions or is expecting something in return.
ReplyDeleteI believe that a country should prioritize the fatal disease that has infected the most people as well as killed the most and the one that has been around for a longer period of time. This is because if the virus that affects the most number of people will be cured, than a greater number of people will be affected positively. Also, since the virus has been around for a longer period of time, this also means that it will be easier to overcome this virus because there will be more research and information available about it.
ReplyDeleteIf a country is battling two diseases, it is important to priortize the disease that has affected more people and has had a higher death rate. Any secondary disease can be treated by another group, but should not be prioritized if it is not shared with the majority.
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