Published : 25-10-2021
Palestinian refugees sheltered in camps set up cross the Syrian territories have expressed concern that mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, would spread quickly in refugee camps.
Recently, the Red Crescent Organization and director of AlMouwasat Hospital, Dr. Esam AlAmeen, warned that nine cases of fungal infections have been confirmed at the hospital, up from just one case in April and May.
Patients who have previously caught COVID-19 are particularly prone to this type of fungal infection.
Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, is a serious fungal infection, usually in people who are immunocompromised. Symptoms depend on where in the body the infection occurs. It most commonly infects the nose, sinuses, eye, and brain resulting in a runny nose, one-sided facial swelling and pain, headache, fever, blurred vision, bulging or displacement of the eye (proptosis), and tissue death. Other forms of disease may infect the lungs, stomach and intestines, and skin.
It is spread by spores of molds of the order Mucorales, most often through inhalation, contaminated food, or contamination of open wounds. These fungi are common in soils, decomposing organic matter (such as rotting fruit and vegetables), and animal manure, but usually do not affect people. It is not transmitted between people.
Palestinian refugees sheltered in camps set up cross the Syrian territories have expressed concern that mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, would spread quickly in refugee camps.
Recently, the Red Crescent Organization and director of AlMouwasat Hospital, Dr. Esam AlAmeen, warned that nine cases of fungal infections have been confirmed at the hospital, up from just one case in April and May.
Patients who have previously caught COVID-19 are particularly prone to this type of fungal infection.
Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, is a serious fungal infection, usually in people who are immunocompromised. Symptoms depend on where in the body the infection occurs. It most commonly infects the nose, sinuses, eye, and brain resulting in a runny nose, one-sided facial swelling and pain, headache, fever, blurred vision, bulging or displacement of the eye (proptosis), and tissue death. Other forms of disease may infect the lungs, stomach and intestines, and skin.
It is spread by spores of molds of the order Mucorales, most often through inhalation, contaminated food, or contamination of open wounds. These fungi are common in soils, decomposing organic matter (such as rotting fruit and vegetables), and animal manure, but usually do not affect people. It is not transmitted between people.
