Delhi govt declares black fungus epidemic amid rising cases

NEW DELHI: The Government of NCT of Delhi has declared black fungus (mucormycosis) epidemic on Thursday, May 27, amid rising cases in the capital. Lieutenant Governor (LG) Anil Baijal issued the regulations under the Epidemic Diseases Act to prevent and manage the cases of the deadly fungus in the city. According to the official data, 153 cases of mucormycosis were recorded on Thursday, May 27, taking the total number to 770 in the capital.

The official statement said that LG of NCT of Delhi is satisfied that the capital is threatened with the outbreak of black fungus, namely mucormycosis, especially among the immune compromised patients and those who are treated with steroids. The Delhi Epidemic Diseases (Mucormycosis) Regulations 2021, is to be valid for a year from the date of publication. It prescribes that all the healthcare facilities including private will have to report each and every suspected or confirmed case of black fungus in the capital through a medical superintendent.

Almost 20 states have declared mucormycosis as a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897. The regulation further said that any person or institution not obeying the laws and new norms on black fungus will be committing an offence under the Indian Penal Code’s Section 188. Mucromycosis or Black Fungus is especially common among people whose immunity has lowered due to COVID-19 infection, diabetes, kidney disease, liver or cardiac disorders.