It has also been made mandatory for all government and private health facilities to report all suspected and confirmed cases to the Health Department.
TFM Desk
The Manipur Government on Monday declared fungal infection Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, as notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897.
As per a notification issued by the Directorate of Health Services, Government of Manipur on Saturday, all government and private health facilities will have to follow guidelines for screening, diagnosis and management of Mucormycosis issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and Indian Council of Medical Research.
It has also been made mandatory for all government and private health facilities to report all suspected and confirmed cases to the Health Department. Medical Superintendents of all government and private health facilities should ensure strict compliance and send reports on a daily basis, the notification added.
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, US, Mucormycosis (previously called zygomycosis) is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes. These molds live throughout the environment. Mucormycosis mainly affects people who have health problems or take medicines that lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness. It most commonly affects the sinuses or the lungs after inhaling fungal spores from the air. It can also occur on the skin after a cut, burn, or other type of skin injury.
In recent months, India saw thousands of cases affecting recovered and recovering COVID-19 patients. As per a BBC report, doctors say there is a link with the steroids used to treat COVID. Diabetics are at particular risk. Doctors have told the BBC it seems to strike 12 to 18 days after recovery from COVID.
The western states of Gujarat and Maharashtra have reported more than half of the reported cases. At least 15 more states have reported between eight and 900 cases. Following the rise in cases, India’s 29 states have been told to declare the disease an epidemic.