Assam declares black fungus as an epidemic

GUWAHATI: The Assam government on Wednesday declared the Black Fungus infection as epidemic in the state.

The decision of declaring it as a notifiable disease was taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

With the declaration it is now mandatory for all the health facilities, both Govt and private, and Medical Colleges to report all suspected and confirmed cases to the Health & FW Department at the district level as stated by the government.

Recently, a COVID-19 recovered patient died of black fungus infection at a private hospital in Guwahati.

Reportedly, the 27-year-old patient was in a critical condition when he was admitted to the hospital on May 16. The patient had all the symptoms of black fungus infection, the hospital stated.

The hospital further stated that the patient hailing from Nagaon district was a diabetes patient and tested positive on May 6.

"All Government and Private health facilities, Medical Colleges will follow guidelines for screening, diagnosis, management of Mucormycosis, issued by the Ministry of Health & FW, Govt of India and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)," the official statement read.