Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar has announced that Black Fungus is now a notified disease. He has set up an expert committee to study Mucormycosis and submit a report to the government.

While India battles Covid-19, it is facing another threat in the form of Black Fungus, which has claimed several lives across the country in the last few days. Also known as mucormycosis, it is a rare but dangerous fungal infection, which is adding to India’s growing COVID-19 woes at the moment.

Mucormycosis is a post-covid complication and central and state governments are busy finding out ways to cure and prevent it. Dr K Sudhakar, the Karnataka Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Medical Education, held a meeting with experts to discuss the measures. Later, he announced on Twitter that Mucormycosis is now a notified disease.

In a series of tweets, Dr K Sudhakar revealed that he has set up an expert committee to study Black Fungus and submit a report. The state government has ordered for 20,000 vials of Amphotericin B used for treatment of Mucormycosis at MMC in Mysuru, SIMS in Shivamogga, GIMS in Kalaburagi, KIMS in Hubballi, KMC in Manipal and Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru.

Here is the series of tweets posted by Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar:

Held a meeting with experts to discuss the measures to be taken to prevent and treat Mucormycosis fungal infection found in Covid patients post recovery.

🔹Expert committee headed by Dr.H.S.Satish, HOD, ENT at BMCRI has been formed to study and submit a report to govt.

🔹Mucormycosis is a post-covid complication found in mostly found in people with uncontrolled diabetes and other immunocompromised conditions.

🔹 Excessive use of steroids and contamination in ventilators and other equipment are also the causes of black fungus infection.

Mucormycosis is now a notified disease and all hospitals have to mandatorily report the cases.

🔹Govt has ordered for 20,000 vials of Amphotericin B used for treatment of Mucormycosis.

🔹Measures are being taken to identify sources of contamination to prevent infection.

🔹MMC, Mysuru, SIMS, Shivamogga, GIMS, Kalaburagi, KIMS, Hubballi, KMC, Manipal and Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru have been identified as regional centres to treat Mucormycosis.

🔹I urge people to not panic and take all precautions post Covid recovery to prevent infection.