NEW DELHI: Even while the country has been reporting a decline in COVID cases, the spread of black fungus and the presence of more deadly white fungus is becoming a huge cause of concern. While the country has reported 219 deaths due to black fungus infection so far, five people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have been diagnosed with white fungus.

The infection of white fungus has been diagnosed with four patients at Patna Medical College in Bihar and with one patient at Mau in Uttar Pradesh. White fungus infection is said to be more dangerous than black fungus as it affects the lungs along with other body parts such as the kidney, brain, private parts, etc.

Meanwhile, the Union health ministry urged the states and Union Territories to make cases of black fungal infection or mucormycosis a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. It also urged the states to ensure all Covid-19 hospitals and other health care facilities adhere to infection prevention and control practices. So far, 7250 people from 13 states have been diagnosed with black fungus infection. Maharashtra has reported the highest number of deaths due to black fungus infection- 90. Kerala reported one death. Recently, One eye each of a man in Malappuram and a woman in Kollam was removed after the infection threatened to spread to their brains

The Center has issued licenses to more companies to manufacture drugs in order to increase the production of Amphotericin-B, an anti-fungal drug for the treatment of black fungus. These companies will start production in July. Imports of other anti-fungal drugs will be increased.