The Centre is rushing additional supplies of Amphotericin- B medicine to states for treating patients of Covid-triggered black fungus (mucormycosis) infections as the number of cases is on the rise.

The latest figures furnished by states shows that the total number of cases reported nationwide has gone up to 8,848. Gujarat heads the list with 2,281 infections, followed by adjoining Maharashtra that has reported 2,000 cases. Andhra Pradesh is at the third spot with 900 patients, Madhya Pradesh comes next with 720 cases followed closely by Rajasthan’s 700 cases. Telengana has reported 350 cases, Haryana 250 and UP 112 cases.  The number is much lower for the other states. 

“The allocation of fresh supplies is being made on the basis of the number of cases reported from each state,” Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers D.V Sadananda Gowda said.

“After a detailed review of the rising number of cases of Mucormycosis in various states, a total of 23680 additional vials of Amphotericin- B have been allocated to all States and UTs today,” he added.

Meanwhile the government has allowed more pharmaceutical companies to manufacture the drug and is augmenting supplies through imports as well, a senior official said.

The black fungus infection is commonly seen in patients who have recovered from COVID-19 but have comorbidities such as diabetes, kidney or heart failure or cancer. Dr Manish Munjal, senior ENT surgeon at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, said: "We are seeing a rise again in black fungus infections triggered by COVID-19. This deadly infection caused a high mortality last year with many patients suffering from the loss of eyesight and the removal of the nose and the jaw bone."

“The Government of India is engaging with the manufacturers to step up production of the drug. The supply position is expected to improve with extra imports of this drug and increase in its production domestically,” the senior official quoted earlier said.