Chennai, May 20(BPNS)

Tamil Nadu state on Thursday announced that mucormycosis or  black fungus is a “Notifiable disease”. The announcement comes after the Union health ministry instructed all states to announce it as a notifiable disease under the Epidemics act.

The state reported nine cases of mucormycosis treated at government hospitals in the state. Tamil nadu state health secretary , J Radhakrishnan while speaking to BPNS said, “ Nine cases were reported from government hospitals and we have treated and cured them.  Among them seven were diabetic and two  non diabetic and vision of seven patients was affected. These patients are all treated and are cured and no deaths have been reported from the state due to black fungus.”

However the total number of black fungus cases in the state is not clear as the private hospitals have not given reports on the black fungus cases. The health secretary said ,”As soon as we get the total number of cases from private hospitals we will provide the total number of cases to the Director of Public Health.”

The state health department has formed a mucormycosis committee headed by the Director of Medical education ,Tamil Nadu, Dr Naryana Babu. This committee has formed protocols for treatment, diagnosis and the usage of the antifungal drug.

This infection is largely affecting those with uncontrolled diabetes who are on immunosuppressed drugs and using steroids. The health department also said that people who are having nasal complaints as well as sinusitis should consult a doctor.

Health secretary J Radhakrishnan while speaking to BPNS said, “Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation have the drugs to treat this disease and this is a treatable disease. We have also placed orders for 5000 vials of Liposomal Amphotericin B, an antifungal drug. This order has been placed through TNMSC”.