IN PICS | India's Battle Against Black Fungus Intensifies With Cases Nearing 9,000 Mark; Gujarat Reports Highest At Over 2,000; 10 Points To Know

India's battle against Covid-19 second wave has been made more difficult by the rising cases of Black Fungus infection linked to recovering patients. India has so far reported approximately cases of 8,848 mucormycosis, also known as black fungus. (PTI Photo)

Among all states, Gujarat has reported maximum of mucormycosis cases at 2,281 followed by Maharashtra (2,000), Andhra Pradesh (910), Madhya Pradesh (720) Rajasthan (700), Karnataka (5,00), Haryana (250), Delhi (197), Punjab (95), Chhattisgarh (87), Bihar (56), Tamil Nadu (40), Kerala (36), Jharkhand (27), Odisha (15), Goa (12) and Chandigarh (8). (PTI Photo)

Mucormycosis is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes that has been developing in Covid-19 patients. (PTI Photo)

The fungal disease is being commonly observed in patients who were given steroids for a long time, have been hospitalised for a long time, were on oxygen support or ventilator, faced poor hospital hygiene or those who have been taking medication for other illnesses such as diabetes. (PTI Photo)

If not treated on time, the black fungus infection can turn fatal. The steroids given in serious cases of Covid infection can adversely affect the immunity. The medicines given can also escalate the blood sugar levels in both diabetics and non-diabetic Covid-19 patients. Hence, in the light of these new cases, people have been warned against indiscriminate use of steriods. (PTI Photo)

States like Rajasthan, Bihar, 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. (PTI Photo)

Uttarakhand government is the latest one to declare Black Fungus as an epidemic. Meanwhile, the Jharkhand government is too planning to declare Mucormycosis or black fungus as an epidemic in the state. (PTI Photo)

With rising cases, concerns have been raised over availability of Amphotericin-B, a key drug to treat raging mucormycosis with reports of shortage coming in. Taking note of this issue, the Union minister of chemicals and fertilisers DV Sadananda Gowda on Friday announced an allocation of 23,680 additional vials. (PTI Photo)

Based on total number of patients, Gujarat (5,800) and Maharashtra (5,090) have been allocated the maximum number of the additional Amphotericin-B vials followed by Andhra Pradesh (2,310), Madhya Pradesh (1,830), Rajasthan (1,780), Karnataka (1,270). (PTI Photo)

The Union Health Ministry on Saturday said the availability of Amphotericin-B is now being increased and the ministry is in touch with five additional manufacturers. It stressed that the treatment of Covid-19 patients involves the intake of drugs like dexamethasone, which suppresses our immune system response and due to these factors, Covid-19 patients face a renewed risk of failing the battle against attacks mounted by organisms such as mucormycetes. (PTI Photo)