Tsunami Survivors

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Tsunami survivors at risk of fungal infections
 

    Washington: The tsunami disaster that struck the countries of Asian sub-continent on December 26 last not only ruined the lives of many, but also increased the risks of psychological disorders like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD). And now, a new report, published in the online edition of The Lancet, claims that the infection with a fungus frequently found in the soil and decaying vegetation could represent a risk for people injured in the tsunami.

     According to Dr. Pamela Konecny of St. George Hospital, Sydney, the fungal infection is called mucormycosis and it has been identified in a 56-year-old man who was transferred from Sri Lanka to a Sydney hospital for treatment after being injured in last year's Tsunami catastrophe. Doctors say that the basic treatment for this fungal infection is early surgical intervention to remove all dead and infected tissue, along with intravenous and anti-fungal therapy.

      The disease has a high mortality rate, say 20-80 per cent, which depends on the site involved and whether the patient has any underlying immune problems. "Wound infections, both bacterial and fungal, will undoubtedly add to the illness and mortality already recorded in tsunami- affected areas. Other cases of mucormycosis might develop in survivors, but this disease can be difficult to diagnose and even harder to treat, particularly in those who remain in affected regions," said Dr. Konecny. "This case shows that travellers repatriated from affected areas could be good predictors of infections in survivors because they may have greater access to advanced diagnostic services than do those who remain," Konecny added.
- Jan 27, 2005

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