Black Fungus: Centre urges states to make mucormycosis a notifiable disease

The Union government on Thursday asked states and Union Territories (UTs) to make Mucormycosis notifiable disease under Epidemic Disease Act 1897. The move came after a number of states reported increasing cases of Mucormycosis, also referred to as ‘black fungus’.

“The treatment of this fungal infection requires multidisciplinary approach consisting of eye surgeons, ENT specialists, general surgeon, neurosurgeon and dental maxillofacial surgeon etc and institution of Amphotericin B is an antifungal medicine,” the letter by Joint Health secretary to states and UTs said.

“All government and private health facilities, medical colleges should follow guidelines for screening, diagnosis, management of mucormycosis, issued by MoHFW and ICMR,” the letter further said.

Meanwhile, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, on Thursday, said that the state has reported four cases of Mucormycosis. “We have reported four cases of Black fungus,” she said. 481 cases of mucormycosis were also reported in Ahmedabad. 

As many as 90 people were reported dead in Maharashtra due to the black fungus as of Wednesday. “So far, 90 people have died due to mucormycosis in Maharashtra. It is serious….it should not be taken lightly,” he told reporters here. “Indiscriminate use of steroids to treat COVID-19 patients should be avoided,” Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Wednesday.