The Odisha government on Tuesday said that 212 cases of Black Fungus infection or 'mucormycosis' have been detected in people in the State so far. The deadly infection has claimed the lives of 29 persons in Odisha so far.
As per the Health and Family Welfare Department, 101 patients who have been diagnosed with Black Fungus infection are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the State. Nearly 68 persons have recovered from Black Fungus infection in the State so far.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Odisha government on May 21 declared Black Fungus infection a 'notifiable disease' under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 after reporting the first case of mucormycosis on May 10, 2021.
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Subsequently, a State-level task force committee was constituted for the early detection and management of such cases.
Black Fungus also called ‘mucormycosis’ is a rare but dangerous invasive mold infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes.
Mucormycosis has an overall mortality rate of 50 percent and may have been triggered by the excess use of steroids in the treatment of Covid-19 patients in different parts of the country.
According to experts, it could also be happening in people having chronic uncontrolled diabetes, renal issues, chronic liver disease, Asthma, TB, or individuals who are on immunosuppressant therapy like steroids.