Telangana declares black fungus to be notifiable disease under epidemic law

The Telangana government has declared black fungus (mucarmycosis), primarily targeting patients recovering from COVID-19, as a notified disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897. An official notification said on Thursday that all government and private health centers should follow the guidelines laid down by the Union Ministry of Health and the Indian Council of Medical Research for the investigation, diagnosis and management of black fungus. The notification states, “It is mandatory for all government and private health centers to report all suspicious and confirmed cases to the health department.” It states that medical superintendents of all Government and Private Hospitals should ensure strict compliance and health Send its report daily to the department. A senior health department official said on Tuesday that there are around 80 cases of black fungus in the state which are being treated in government and private hospitals. The government has made Gandhi General Hospital and the state-run ENT Hospital the nodal center for treatment of black fungus.