Black Fungus declared an epidemic in Nagaland fearing spread of the disease
- May 23, 2021,
- Updated May 23, 2021, 12:21 AM IST
KOHIMA: The Governor of Nagaland has declared Black Fungus, or Mucormycosis, as an epidemic yesterday following the direction of the central government.
A day before yesterday, Union Health Ministry had directed all the states and UTs to recognize black fungus as a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, stating that the infection is leading to prolonged morbidity and mortality amongst COVID-19 patients.
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Amardeep S Bhatia, Nagaland principal health secretary, has stated that the reports of increasing incidence among the immune-compromised patients, especially COVID patients, after treating them with steroids and it has the probability of spreading in the state of Nagaland as well. He also mentioned that ordinary provisions of law for the time being in force are insufficient for the purpose to combat the disease.
The Nagaland Epidemic Diseases (Mucormycosis) Regulations 2021 has been come into force with immediate effect and to remain valid for a year.
All other provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and its Amendment, 2020 will be applicable in any matters relating to black fungus infection.
The Chief Medical Officer shall compile and submit the district report to the Principal Director Health &Family Welfare, Nagaland on daily basis, stated in the notification released.