Rajasthan Declares Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) an Epidemic

On Wednesday, Rajasthan declared Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) an epidemic. Balck Fungus is largely affecting people recovering from COVID-19.

A dedicated ward has been made at Sawai Man Singh Hospital, Jaipur for the treatment of Black Fungus cases. At present, 100 cases of Mucormycosis (Balck Fungus)  observed in the state.

As per the notice released by Rajasthan’s principal health secretary, Black Fungus has been notified as an epidemic under the Rajasthan Epidemic Act 2020. Akhil Arora added appropriate steps already taken to make sure integrated and coordinated treatment of black fungus and the coronavirus. The government is working closely with the Doctors and taking regular updates on the Black Fungus cases.

On Monday, Rajasthan Government released a purchase order for 2,500 vials of Liposomal Amphotericin. This is the injection medical fraternity is using for the treatment of black fungus cases, said Health Minister Raghu Sharma.

As per the experts, people having a history of diabetes are more vulnerable to Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) infection.

Reason for the sudden rise in cases

It has been reported that the sudden surge in the Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) cases is because of the excessive use of steroids during the treatment of Coronavirus. A vulnerable immune system is not able to fight the infection caused by microorganisms that cause the condition. Center is also closely analyzing the production and availability of Liposomal Amphotericin.

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The situation in other states

Apart from Rajasthan, many other states have also faced a sudden rise in Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) cases. These states include Delhi, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telengana, and Maharashtra. Delhi’s AIIMS and Gangaram Hospital have seen the majority of black fungus cases. At present, around 100 patients are being treated for Mucormycosis. Arvind Kejriwal has given confidence that the Delhi government will take all the precautionary steps for the treatment of Black Fungus cases.

So far 1,163 cases of Black Fungus reported in Gujarat. The High Court has asked the state government to follow the proper instructions in easing the supply of amphotericin injection used for the treatment of Black Fungus.

More than 2,000 patients reported in Maharashtra infected with the fungal infection. Out of 2,000 90 have succumbed to death and some even lost their eyesight. Seeing the acute shortage of injections used for the treatment of black fungus, the Telangana state government has decided that it would regulate the allocation of medicine to the needy ones.