Another black fungus case found in Siliguri- cases are increasing

SNS, SILIGURI, 26 May 21 : After the Union health ministry earlier asked state governments and union territories to declare mucormycosis or black fungus as a' notifiable disease', the West Bengal government has directed doctors to "mandatorily notify" after diagnosing such cases.

A 42-year-old person from Siliguri was diagnosed with mucormycosis at the North Bengal Medical College and hospital (NBMCH) today, sources said.

The sources said that the person had recovered from Covid-19, but was admitted in a private nursing home for a long time, his test reports confirmed mucormycosis. However, he left for Kolkata for treatment," the sources said.

Earlier, another woman of Siliguri was diagnosed with mucormycosis at the NBMCH and she had undergone surgery.

Meanwhile, a suspected case of mucormycosis was reported in a private health facility in Coach Behar district yesterday. The 47-year-old woman, who hailed from Alipurduar district, however died today and her test reports were awaited, health department sources said.

Considering the increasing number of mucormycosis cases being reported in the country against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, the state health and family welfare department has said health practitioners or health facilities must "mandatorily notify" district health authorities if they diagnose or find a confirmed or suspected case. A notification in this regard has mentioned sharing of all relevant information related to such cases, including the patient's personal details, history, examination and investigation findings and also the outcome data in case of death.

In view of the gravity of the situation, the Union health ministry has asked all states to declare the fungal infection called mucormycosis as a "notifiable disease" under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897.

An order to this effect issued by the Centre on 19 May intends to get all health facilities, including medical colleges and practitioners, to report all suspected and confirmed mucormycosis cases to their district health authorities. A fungal infection, mucormycosis is commonly seen in Covid-19 patients who are in the recovery phase.

The directive further asks the concerned to notify the location/site of practice of the facility/practitioner.

"The case notification will also include sharing of all related information, inclusive of patient's personal details, history, examination and investigation findings, and also outcome data in case of death," the notification says.

The format issued by the state department has asked for inclusion of the patent's present Covid-19 or post Covid-19 status, whether the patient is immuno-compromised. It will he signed by the reporting practitioner/official on behalf of the health facility.

The symptoms of the fungal infection include blackening or discoloration over the nose, blurred or double vision, chest pain, breathing difficulties and coughing of blood.