Govt Asks States, UTs To Notify Covid-Triggered Black Fungus Under Epidemic Disease Act

<p><strong>New Delhi:&nbsp;</strong>The Centre has asked all the state governments to declare mucormycosis or black fungus an epidemic and list the infection under the &ldquo;Epidemic Diseases Act&rdquo;.</p> <p>This comes as several states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Telangana and Rajasthan, are witnessing an increase in cases of black fungus amid the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<span style="color: #e03e2d;"><strong><a style="color: #e03e2d;" href="https://ift.tt/3yrS0NB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Test Covid Infection At Home By Taking Nasal Swab, ICMR Issues Advisory - Watch How To Use Home-Testing Kit</a></strong></span></p> <p>Stating that &ldquo;in recent times a new challenge in the form of a 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&rdquo;, Union Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal has in a letter to the states said: &ldquo;This fungal infection is leading to prolonged morbidity and mortality among COVID-19 patients.&rdquo;</p> <p>The Joint Secretary further said its treatment needs a multi-disciplinary approach, which includes eye surgeons, ENT specialists, general surgeons, neurosurgeons, dental facial surgeons and a special anti-fungal medicine, Amphotericin.</p> <p>&ldquo;All government and private health facilities and medical colleges have to follow guidelines for screening, diagnosis, management of mucormycosis,&rdquo; he added.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ | <span style="color: #e03e2d;"><a style="color: #e03e2d;" href="https://ift.tt/3v3FKkz Cases Continue To Remain Below 3 Lakh Mark; India Reports Over 2.76 Lakh New Cases, 3874 Deaths</a></span></strong></p> <p>Caused by a group of moulds called mucormycetes, Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection with symptoms such as face numbness, nose obstruction, swelling in the eye or cheeks and black dry crusts in the nose.</p> <p>The cases of black fungus are being seen in some Covid patients, who were administered steroids to treat symptoms and particularly among those suffering from diabetes and cancer.</p> <p>In view of the rise in cases, Telangana and Rajasthan have already declared black fungus an epidemic.</p>

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