Cases of Mucormycosis or commonly called Black Fungus have been increasing in India recently.
“Till now, 5,424 cases of Mucormycosis have been reported in 18 States/UTs. Out of 5,424 cases, 4,556 patients have history of COVID-19 infection. 55 per cent of the patients had diabetes,” Harsh Vardhan, Union Health Minister of India said on Monday.
Dr. Vardhan conveyed in a Ministers’ meeting that this infection is present in patients who had an encounter with Covid-19. More than half of these five thousand plus cases have been found to be diabetic.
Black Fungus is caused by Fungi group called mucormycetes. It affects persons who have recently recovered from COVID-19. As of now, over usage of steroids during the treatment of COVID-19 is proposed to be the cause of the black fungus.
The Government of India has asked the States to declare Black Fungus infection an epidemic under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1987.
“All govt and private health facilities and medical colleges have to follow guidelines for screening, diagnosis, management of mucormycosis,” a letter by the Health Ministry to all states read. The Health Ministry has also urged States to report to it about the details of the confirmed or suspected black fungus cases at once.
According to BBC, India has reported nearly 9,000 black fungus cases till Sunday. Cases of black fungus have been reported from several states across the country, including Karnataka, Delhi, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
In Coimbatore, 6 persons were identified with this infection on Saturday. Doctors tell that people with poor immune system are prey to this infection.