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Tsunami Deadly Fungal Infection for Australian Man
Tsunami Survivors Risk
Fungal Infection – Report
January 28, 2005. Australia.
Survivors of the Asian tsunami could be at risk of a deadly fungal
infection "mucormycosis" according to Australian researchers, and
doctors at Sydney’s St. George Hospital, who treated an infection
called “mucormycosis” in an Australian man who was injured in the
disaster, fear it could be the first case of many.
[Mould Inspector Phillip Fry
note: This fungal disease
is caused by the Mucor mould species, which is a very common mould
species that readily grows in water-damaged buildings worldwide].
"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 Pamela
Konecny in a report published online by The Lancet medical journal.
The 56-year-old Australian man, who
was injured by debris, was transferred from Sri Lanka to the
Australian hospital where he had surgery to remove fungal infected tissue
and intravenous therapy.
Mucormycosis is caused
by fungi found in the soil and in decaying vegetation. It affects
the sinuses, brain, lungs, skin and kidneys. People with immune
disorders are more susceptible to the infection.
Without surgery the
chances of survival are slim. Death rates range from 25-80 percent
depending on which part of the body is infected. "Wound infections,
both bacterial and fungal, will undoubtedly add to the illness and
mortality already recorded in tsunami-affected areas," said Konecny.
Up to 100,000 people in
Indonesia alone and thousands more in Sri Lanka, Thailand and other
countries were injured when the tsunami struck on December 26,
according to collated figures from government and health officials.
Konecny said doctors
treating people injured during the tsunami should be aware that
mucormycosis can occur.
"Our patient probably
acquired mucormycosis from contamination of his wounds at the time
of trauma or during first aid measures," she said.
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