Black fungus is now a notifiable disease

The black fungus disease has been declared a notifiable disease by the state government on Thursday. This makes it compulsory for all hospitals to report to the government all such cases that come to their hospitals, ENT clinics, eye hospitals and eye clinics. Those who take up these cases for treatment have to alert the government on the same day.

The guidelines for screening, diagnosis and management were issued by the Union health ministry and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). All suspected and confirmed cases must be reported to the health department, the government said, adding there must be strict compliance of protocols.

This will help the government and the private sector identify the incidence of the disease. It will also help in understanding what has gone wrong and led to the emergence of the black fungus disease on a large scale.

A health official from the epidemiology wing of the state government explained, “Lowered cell immunity, improper use of humidifiers for oxygen at home and at makeshift hospitals and uncontrolled diabetes are the three main causes. An audit shows that these cases have risen in home treatment and that will require up-skilling them as all mild cases cannot be shifted to hospitals.”

The Union health ministry said a new challenge has emerged in the form of black fungus disease. This has been reported from many states, from amongst Covid19 patients, especially those on steroid therapy and deranged sugar control.

“This fungal infection is leading to prolonged morbidity and mortality amongst

Covid19 patients,” Lav Agarwal, joint secretary in the Union health ministry, said.

The treatment of this fungal infection requires multidisciplinary approach consisting of eye surgeons, ENT specialists, general surgeon, neurosurgeon and dental maxillo facial surgeon, among others, and institution of amphotericin-B injection as an antifungal medicine.