Doctors treat a Black Fungus infected patient in the operation theatre of NSCB medical college and hospital in Jabalpur on May 22. (PTI Photo)
• No cases in Nagaland, 1 active in Tripura
• Centre enhances allocation of Amphotericin-B to combat infections
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 22
There are approximately 8,848 patients with Mucormycosis or ‘black fungus’ infection across the country, including one active case in Tripura, the Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers (MoC&F), DV Sadananda Gowda informed on Saturday.
The ministry informed in an official release that Gowda has announced allocation of 23,680 additional Amphotericin-B vials to all States/Union Territories after a detailed review of rising number of cases of Mucormycosis across the country.
He further informed that the allocation has been made based on total number of patients which is approximately 8,848 across the country, the release said, quoting an update by the Minister on Twitter.
Allocation of Amphotericin-B across the country to combat Mucormycosis. (Photo Courtesy: Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers via PIB)
The Morung Express, citing official data, on May 19 reported that total of 44,250 Amphotericine- B drugs were slated to be allocated to different states from May 10-31. The announcement on Saturday appears to be an additional allotment.
According to United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mucormycosis “needs to be treated with prescription antifungal medicine, usually amphotericin B, posaconazole, or isavuconazole.”
Meanwhile, as per the data shared by the Minister, Gujarat had the highest the number of patients with Mucormycosis at 2,281, followed by 2,000 in Maharashtra. Accordingly, a total of 5,800 and 5,090 vials respectively were allotted to Gujarat and Maharashtra.
With 910 cases, Andhra Pradesh was on third and allotted 2,310 vials while Madhya Pradesh with 702 patients was allotted 1,830 vials.
Two cases in NE, 1 active
As per the data, there was one active case of Mucormycosis in Tripura and the state was allotted 50 vials of Amphotericine- B. This is the second case in the North East after a 27-year-old man reportedly succumbed to the infection at a private hospital in Guwahati on May 19 after recovering from COVID-19.
After Assam, a 68-year-old woman has been admitted to a private hospital in Agartala on Friday with mucormycosis infection, IANS news agency reported on May 22.
Tripura Education and Law Minister Ratan Lal Nath, who is also the spokesperson for the state government, told the media on Friday night that the woman is now under treatment as per the standard protocols of the government, it said.
After the demise of patient, Assam’s Health and Family Welfare Department on Friday also issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) to contain the possible spread of black fungus.
The SOP contains details about symptoms and management of COVID patients with mucormycosis infection, besides outlining the treatment protocols, the IANS added.
A Nagaland Health official had informed this newspaper on May 19 that the State has not received any reports of Mucormycosis so far. The MoC&F’s data on May 22 also confirmed the status quo.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Mucormycosis is being detected among patients who are recovering or have recovered from COVID-19.
Moreover, anyone who is diabetic and whose immune system is not functioning well needs to be on the guard against this, it cautioned.
Among others, it recommended controlling of diabetes, avoiding of self-medication and over-dosage of steroids and maintaining proper hygiene can also help keep the fungal infection away.
