India's cases of black fungus spike to 11,717, adding woes to ongoing COVID-19 fight - China.org.cn

The Indian government on Wednesday said the country has recorded 11,717 cases of mucormycosis or black fungus, according to the federal minister for chemicals and fertilizers D. V. Sadananda Gowda.

According to Gowda, Gujarat is leading the list with 2,859 cases, followed by Maharashtra with 2,770 cases.

"Additional 29,250 vials of Amphotericin- B drug, used in the treatment of mucormycosis, have been allocated to all the states today. The allocation has been made based on the number of patients under treatment which is 11,717 across the country," Gowda wrote on social media.

Last week, the federal health ministry asked all states to declare mucormycosis infection an epidemic and report all cases. The directive was issued after the number of COVID-19 patients infected with mucormycosis spiked in the country.

The disease has emerged as a new challenge in India's battle against COVID-19.