Over 45,000 Black Fungus Cases Reported In India; 4,200 Died Due To It: Govt

Mumbai: A total of 45,432 cases of mucormycosis or black fungus have been reported amid COVID-19 across India till July 15, Union Health Minister said in Parliament on Tuesday.

Mandaviya said in a written reply that out of 45,432 cases, 21,085 people are undergoing treatment and a total of 4,252 people have died.

He further said that a large proportion of 84.4 percent black fungus patients had a history of coronavirus disease (Covid-19). The most common presentations of mucormycosis are rhinorrhea (77.6 percent), cutaneous (4.3 percent), and pulmonary (3 percent).

Mandaviya explained that mucormycosis and other fungal infections are commonly referred to as opportunistic infections. These are found in individuals with low levels of immunity such as those suffering from or managing cancer, diabetes, and as a side effect of prolonged or irrational use of certain drugs such as steroids for other disorders.

The health minister said that although mucormycosis is not a new disease, its actual incidence during the second wave of Covid-19 was unknown as it was not a notable disease at that time.

Subsequently, the health ministry had urged all states and union territories to declare a disease notified under the Epidemic Diseases Act so that an objective analysis could be obtained.

Further, Mandaviya said that the treatment of mucormycosis and all other fungal infections is provided free of cost in all central government hospitals and autonomous institutions under the Union Health Ministry.

This development comes after doctors in Rajasthan recently expressed concern over the increasing cases of mucormycosis among children in the state.

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