Chandigarh, May 18 (UNI) Taking note of the suspected outbreak of dangerous epidemic disease Mucormycosis (also known as black fungus) among immune-compromised patients, specially COVID-19 patients, the Haryana Government has made certain regulations, which if not adhered to, necessary action will be taken against the delinquent person/institution as per Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.
Also, any person or institution or organization disobeying these Regulations or orders issued under these Regulations shall be deemed to have committed as offence punishable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
Sharing details in this regard, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rajeev Arora said a Committee to review any disobeying by any person/institution or organisation of the notification or any order issued under these regulations will be constituted under chairmanship of Civil Surgeon in each district. The Committee will compromise of specialists of Internal Medicine, Ophthalmology, ENT and Epidemiologist as members to review any disobeying.
He elaborated that if disobeying is proved, a notice would be issued by the Civil Surgeon of the concerned district against such person/institution or organization, indicating the offence/irregularity conducted as per the notification. The reply of person/institution or organization received against the notice will be reviewed by the District Committee.
If reply is not received within the stipulated time of receipt of the notice or if the reply is found to be unsatisfactory by the Committee and it is confirmed that the person/institution or organization has disobeyed regulations, the concerned Civil Surgeon will take the necessary action against the delinquent person, institution or organization as per Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.
Speaking on the Regulations he said that these Regulations may be called ‘The Haryana Epidemic Diseases (Mucormycosis) Regulations, 2021’ and shall remain valid for one year from the date of publication. All the healthcare facilities (Government and private) will follow the guidelines for screening, diagnosis, management of Mucormycosis, issued by MOHFW/ICMR/State Government and amended from time to time.
As per the Regulations all the healthcare facilities (Government and private) will report each and every suspected or confirmed case of Mucormycosis to Health Department through concerned Civil Surgeon.
He further added that no person, institution or organization will spread any information or material for management of Mucormycosis without prior permission from Health Department, Haryana. Furthermore, no person/institution or organization will use any print/electronic or any other form of media for Mucormycosis without prior permission from Health Department.
He said that Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes. These molds live throughout the environment. It mainly affects people who have health problems or take immunosuppressive drugs (medicines that lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness). Patients are advised to seek early treatment, control diabetes, take steroid only if these are essential and there is no need of anti-fungal prophylaxis.
