As the second COVID wave is getting diminished, cases of black fungus are rising day by day and becoming a huge matter of concern. Maharashtra has reported the ever first case of black fungus in COVID patients but now Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana are also reporting the same. There are around 2000 cases of black fungus in Maharashtra itself and 90 fatalities from this disease. Haryana had reported 230 cases to date.

Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gujarat and Chandigarh have declared black fungus as an epidemic. The Center has advised states to declare black fungus an epidemic so that it becomes a notifiable disease. All hospitals are asked to report all confirmed and suspected cases. 

People who are at more risk – COVID patient undergoing oxygen therapy, diabetic person, people with the weakened immune system due to use of steroid, patients of prolonged hospital stay, patients on voriconazole therapy. Symptoms include blackening over the nose, blood vision, chest pain, coughing of blood, breathing difficulties.

Amphotericin B injection is useful against this disease. Manufacturing of this drug was very less but as the demand is rising, pharma companies have already started fast production of the drug.