Black Fungus Situation Not Alarming, Adequate Medicines In Stock: Odisha Health Secy

Bhubaneswar: Additional Chief Secretary (Health) PK Mohapatra on Wednesday informed that Odisha has so far reported 140 black fungus or mucormycosis cases. Among them, 20 have succumbed to the fungal infection while 21 have been fully cured.

He further said that special arrangements have been made for the treatment of those infected in government and private hospitals in the state.

Mohapatra had earlier told Odisha Bytes that eight beds have been earmarked for black fungus-infected patients in each district headquarters hospital and 30 beds in all medical colleges in the state. “Separate beds have been created for COVID and non-COVID mucormycosis cases,” he added.

The Health Secretary said that the state has adequate medicines in stock for the treatment of black fungus cases. “We have 1132 vials of Amphotericin B and 1500-1600 Posaconazole injections plus tablets,” he added.

A patient requires 300 mg Amphotericin B (six vials) per day and at least 5 gm for complete medical therapy.

He said that the rate of infection has not been alarming in Odisha as compared to Maharashtra and Punjab, where over 1200 cases have been reported.

Odisha reported its first case of black fungus infection (mucormycosis) in a 71-year-old COVID patient from Jajpur with a known history of uncontrolled diabetes on May 10.

Also Read: 130 Infected; 20 Lives Lost To Black Fungus In Odisha

Till Sunday, AIIMS-Bhubaneswar had admitted 62 black fungus cases while another 10 were treated at SUM Ultimate Care in the city.

Eleven deaths have been reported from Khurda, four from Sambalpur, three from Cuttack and 2 from Sundargarh.