States asked to declare Mucormycosis an epidemic

States asked to declare Mucormycosis an epidemic

Part of: GS Prelims and GS -II – Health; Policies and interventions 

In news

• The Union government has asked the States to declare mucormycosis,, an epidemic under Epidemic Diseases Act 1897.
• Mucormycosis is the black fungal infection being reported in COVID-19 patients. 

Key takeaways 

• Declaring it an epidemic would lead to health facilities screening for it and reporting all such cases to the government.
• Rajasthan, Telangana and Tamil Nadu have already declared it an epidemic.

Important value additions 

• Mucormycosis or black fungus is a complication caused by fungal infection. 
• People catch mucormycosis by coming in contact with the fungal spores in the environment. 
• The disease is being detected among patients who are recovering or have recovered from Covid-19. 

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