Declare 'Black Fungus' as 'Epidemic' says Union Health Ministry

Union Health Ministry had urged the state governments to make 'mucormycosis' or black fungus a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Disease Act of 1897.

"All Government and private health facilities, medical colleges should follow guidelines for screening, diagnosis, management of mucormycosis, issued by MoHFW & ICMR,'' the Union Health Ministry said, according to news agency ANI.

The surge of fungal infection in COVID patients is the matter of concern in the entire nation now. Several parts of the country including the national capital Delhi are on high alert.

Black fungus is primarily affecting people recovering from COVID-19 infection and it has already been declared as an epidemic in Telangana, Rajasthan and Haryana.

The state government declared this under "The Rajasthan Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020".

On May 18, the Haryana government also formed regulations called, "The Haryana Epidemic Diseases (Mucormycosis) Regulations, 2021".