Cases of 'black fungus' infection are being reported in several parts of the country. States like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Odisha, Telangana and Tamil Nadu have already declared it a 'notifiable' disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, thereby making it mandatory to report every Mucormycosis case to the state government.
About 5,500 cases of black fungus have been detected in the country so far. Considering the total number of deaths due to black fungus, 70% of the deaths have occurred in Maharashtra alone. Due to increased risk of black fungus, 5 states have declared this disease as an epidemic. The increase in the number of black fungus cases has made situation worse as it has caused shortage of Liposomal amphotericin B , an antifungal medication used to treat the disease.
Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar while interacting with the media spoke about the deadly disease. Presently there are over 300 cases of black fungus in Pune, including patients from other districts. There's shortage of injections for them. If there are 300 patients, around 1800 injections a day are needed and that is not available in required number, said Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.
A person having the disease needs to be given 6 injections a day. We have decided to include its treatment in Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, added Pawar.
In a meeting with PM, our Health Minister Rajesh Tope raised the demand that the injections must be given to states in required number. We also spoke to its manufacturers & we were informed they've been asked to give it to Centre that will decide on the allocation to states, said Deputy CM.