Mucormycosis made a notifiable disease in U.T.

‘Those on steroid treatment vulnerable’

The Health Department has declared mucormycosis a notifiable disease and directed healthcare centres to inform the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme of the department about the detection of mucormycosis cases in hospitals. “People who have uncontrolled diabetes and have been on steroid treatment for COVID-19 are more vulnerable to the infection. It affects the sinuses, eyes and brain, and can become fatal if not treated on time,” Director of Health S. Mohan Kumar said. State surveillance officer, IDSP, L. Ravivarman said so far, five patients in the Union Territory had contracted the infection. While one had died at a private medical college, four patients were undergoing treatment at JIPMER and the Government Medical College, he said.