Centre asks all States to declare "Black Fungus" as an Epidemic

 

As India continues to fight against COVID-19, the number of new "Mucormycosis" or "Black Fungus" cases has risen up in the country. The centre has now asked all the states to declare Mucormycosis or Black Fungus as an "Epidemic".

The health ministry has issued a letter and has asked the state to list it under the "Epidemic Diseases Act". This means that all confirmed or suspected cases of black fungus, will now have to be reported to the health ministry.

"In recent times a new challenge in the form of fungal infection namely mucormycosis has emerged and is reported from many states among COVID-19 patients especially those on steroid therapy and deranged sugar control. This fungal infection is leading to prolonged morbidity and mortality among COVID-19 patients" said Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary of Health Ministry, in letter to the states.

According to Doctors and Medical Experts, this disease leads to blackening or discolouration over the nose, blurred or double vision, breathing difficulties, coughing blood and chest pain.

People with comorbidities like Diabetes and other compromised immune systems are advised to watch for symptoms like sinus or nasal blockage on one side of the face, headache, swelling or numbness, toothache and loosening of teeth.

States like Rajasthan and Telangana have already declared black fungus as an Epidemic. Maharashtra on the other hand, have already reported over 1,500 cases and 90 deaths from this infection.