In a shocking development, an 80-year-old man in Ahmedabad, who had recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, had died by committing suicide after fearing that he could contract the Black Fungus infection after he developed the symptoms for the fungus infection. Mucormycosis or Black Fungus Infection is now a notifiable disease in India as several states had reported the cases of infection and the cases of Black fungus infection have been surging on an unprecedented scale across the country.

According to reports, the 80-year-old victim had taken the extreme step of committing suicide by consuming pesticide on the terrace of his apartment last Thursday soon after he developed mouth sores, one of the symptoms of black fungus infection. He was hospitalized at a private hospital in Ahmedabad but he had eventually passed away on Saturday.  

While he battled the COVID-19 pandemic successfully being an octogenarian, his decision to end his life after developing symptoms of Black Fungus Infection had utterly shocked his dears and nears. After consuming the pesticide, he was rushed to the hospital and he breathed his last on Saturday. According to the police, the 80-year-old was not diagnosed with Mucormycosis but in his suicide note, he mentioned that he was taking his life because he feared he might have contracted the black fungal infection. 

He said that he didn't want to undergo any further suffering. He was living with his wife at the Aman Apartments in the Paldi area of the city. The official said that the man's fear was more psychological than his financial condition. The police have registered a case of accidental death and had launched a probe into the death. The development has come when Gujarat has been witnessing a health crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and Mucormycosis. 

Paldi Police station's inspector JM Solanki said, "The man was scared as he learned that the black fungus mostly targets those who had contracted coronavirus and people having diabetes. He also mentioned in the suicide note that the treatment may not yield any result and he would suffer due to that infection in the future." The inspector had acquired statements from the family members of the deceased. 

Black Fungus or Mucormycosis is caused by the fungus Mucor. People can get infected by the fungal disease if they come in contact with the black fungus spores in the environment and their immediate ambience. It can affect the face, nose, eyes, and brain. In some cases, it can cause loss of vision and it can also spread to the lungs. The symptoms of the black fungus infection include Nasal blockage, facial or cheekbone pain, discolouration of the nose, congestion or redness, and swelling of the eyes, and impaired vision.

According to experts, COVID-19 patients, diabetic people, and people on the prolonged use of steroids are more at risk of getting infected with the black fungus infection. A prolonged stay in the ICU can also increase the risk of black fungus. The preventions from Black Fungus include maintaining good hygiene and cleanliness, maintaining oral hygiene care with mouthwash, use sterile water for humidification while administering oxygen, and refrain from using more antibiotics and antifungals. 

Some of the other preventive measures include maintaining prescribed sugar levels, staying indoors and doing regular physical exercise and staying away from moistures, avoid construction areas and grounds, and wear rubber gloves, masks, and boots while walking on the grounds as the surface may carry the fungus spores.