Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, has caused thirty to lose vision in one eye&nbsp;in a Tamil Nadu government hospital, says a top official of the hospital said on Sunday.

All those admitted had undergone endoscopy with 110 undergoing visualisation surgery, the hospital Dean Dr N Nirmala said in a release.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-black-fungus-or-mucormycosis-symptoms-and-treatment-384366">What is 'Black Fungus' or 'Mucormycosis'?: Symptoms and treatment</a>

But 30 patients with severe infection had lost their sight in one eye, she said, adding that those who had come at an early stage were totally cured of the disease.

The Health Department has created awareness to not neglect any problem in the nostrils or phlegm with blood or swelling in the eyes and face, red eyes and also toothache.

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People with such health issues should not delay going to the doctor or a hospital, the Dean said.

Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, has caused thirty to lose vision in one eye in a Tamil Nadu government hospital, says a top official of the hospital said on Sunday.

Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, has caused thirty to lose vision in one eye in a Tamil Nadu government hospital, says a top official of the hospital said on Sunday. All those admitted had undergone endoscopy with 110 undergoing visualisation surgery, the hospital Dean Dr N Nirmala said in a release. Also read | What is 'Black Fungus' or 'Mucormycosis'?: Symptoms and treatment But 30 patients with severe infection had lost their sight in one eye, she said, adding that those who had come at an early stage were totally cured of the disease. The Health Department has created awareness to not neglect any problem in the nostrils or phlegm with blood or swelling in the eyes and face, red eyes and also toothache. People with such health issues should not delay going to the doctor or a hospital, the Dean said.

Tamil Nadu: 30 people lose vision in one eye due to black fungus

The GST Council on Saturday slashed tax rate on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> drugs such as Remdesivir and Tocilizumab as well as on medical oxygen and oxygen concentrators but ignored demands for reduction in taxes on vaccines.

The Council, acting on the recommendation of a group of ministers from different states, cut to nil GST on COVID-19 drug Tocilizumab and black fungus medicine Amphotericin B, from existing 5 per cent. Besides, hand sanitiser, pulse oximeter, BiPAP machine, testing kit, ambulance and temperature check equipment were among the 18 items on which GST rates were lowered.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-reports-84332-new-coronavirus-cases-in-24-hours-its-lowest-in-70-days-390986">India reports 84,332 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours, its lowest in 70 days</a>

A 5 per cent GST levy on vaccines will continue which will allow manufacturers to get benefit of settling taxes paid on inputs.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman explained that the 5 per cent levy will not put any additional burden on common man as the government was procuring all vaccines and giving them to citizens for free.

The reduced tax rates were based on a recommendation of a group of ministers, headed by Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, and would remain effective till September 30, 2021.

"It was felt that the GoM's recommendations has brought in a lot of substantial change. Many items, that were at 18 per cent and 12 per cent, brought down to 5 per cent. So there was a lot of substance in the recommendation made by GoM. The Council largely agreed to go with GoM's recommendation...," Sitharaman said while briefing reporters after the 44th GST Council meeting here.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-stand-in-solidarity-with-india-says-irans-envoy-dr-ali-chegeni-lauds-new-delhi-for-its-open-hand-390541">COVID-19: Stand in solidarity with India says Iran's envoy Dr Ali Chegeni; lauds New Delhi for its ‘open hand’</a>

The notification of lower GST rates would be issued "tomorrow or day after".

While GST on Tocilizumab and Amphotericin B is slashed to nil from 5 per cent, the rate on Remdesivir and anticoagulants like Heparin is lowered from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. GST rate on ambulance has been cut to 12 per cent from 28 per cent.

Tax on medical grade oxygen, oxygen concentrator (including personal imports), ventilators, BiPAP machines and high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) devices has been cut to 5 per cent from 12 per cent.

Also, tax on Covid testing kits, pulse oximeter (including personal imports) has been brought down to 5 per cent from 12 per cent. Hand sanitisers, temperature check equipment, gas/electric furnaces for crematoriums too will attract lower 5 per cent tax, compared to 18 per cent earlier.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-govt-issues-guidelines-on-covid-19-in-children-says-remdesivir-not-recommended-390531">Indian govt issues guidelines on COVID-19 in children, says Remdesivir not recommended</a>

In the previous meeting of the GST Council on May 28, taxes on COVID-19 vaccines and medical supplies were left unchanged after the BJP&nbsp;and Opposition ruled states sparred over whether the tax cut benefits will reach the common man.

An 8-member GoM, under Sangma, was set up to recommend GST rate on Covid essentials.

The other members of the GoM are Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitinbhai Patel, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Goa Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, Finance ministers of Kerala (K N Balagopal), Odisha (Niranjan Pujari), Telangana (T Harish Rao) and UP (Suresh Kr Khanna).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/govt-allocates-additional-17-lakh-vials-of-amphotericin-b-to-states-uts-390453">Govt allocates additional 1.7 lakh vials of Amphotericin-B to states, UTs</a>

To a query on Congress saying that they were not made part of the GoM, Sitharaman said, "... I don't want to comment on what was said outside. In the Council, the three Congress ministers said that in the future at least you should consider having us in GoM. The selection into a GoM is never made on party basis, neither is the exclusion. There are several GoMs and several ministers are made members of the GoM. All states are given representation in one or the other GoM. Neither the inclusion, nor the exclusions happen on political party affiliations."

Industry chamber PHDCCI said the calibrated reduction in the rates of GST on Covid relief essentials will go a long way in treating Covid cases and to provide required relief for treatment of infections.

"PHDCCI looks forward to the continued reform measures by the government to mitigate the daunting impact of Covid on people and to make India free from the pandemic," it said in a statement.

The GST Council on Saturday slashed tax rate on COVID-19 drugs such as Remdesivir and Tocilizumab as well as on medical oxygen and oxygen concentrators but ignored demands for reduction in taxes on vaccines.

The GST Council on Saturday slashed tax rate on COVID-19 drugs such as Remdesivir and Tocilizumab as well as on medical oxygen and oxygen concentrators but ignored demands for reduction in taxes on vaccines. The Council, acting on the recommendation of a group of ministers from different states, cut to nil GST on COVID-19 drug Tocilizumab and black fungus medicine Amphotericin B, from existing 5 per cent. Besides, hand sanitiser, pulse oximeter, BiPAP machine, testing kit, ambulance and temperature check equipment were among the 18 items on which GST rates were lowered. Also read | India reports 84,332 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours, its lowest in 70 days A 5 per cent GST levy on vaccines will continue which will allow manufacturers to get benefit of settling taxes paid on inputs. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman explained that the 5 per cent levy will not put any additional burden on common man as the government was procuring all vaccines and giving them to citizens for free. The reduced tax rates were based on a recommendation of a group of ministers, headed by Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, and would remain effective till September 30, 2021. "It was felt that the GoM's recommendations has brought in a lot of substantial change. Many items, that were at 18 per cent and 12 per cent, brought down to 5 per cent. So there was a lot of substance in the recommendation made by GoM. The Council largely agreed to go with GoM's recommendation...," Sitharaman said while briefing reporters after the 44th GST Council meeting here. Also read | COVID-19: Stand in solidarity with India says Iran's envoy Dr Ali Chegeni; lauds New Delhi for its ‘open hand’ The notification of lower GST rates would be issued "tomorrow or day after". While GST on Tocilizumab and Amphotericin B is slashed to nil from 5 per cent, the rate on Remdesivir and anticoagulants like Heparin is lowered from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. GST rate on ambulance has been cut to 12 per cent from 28 per cent. Tax on medical grade oxygen, oxygen concentrator (including personal imports), ventilators, BiPAP machines and high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) devices has been cut to 5 per cent from 12 per cent. Also, tax on Covid testing kits, pulse oximeter (including personal imports) has been brought down to 5 per cent from 12 per cent. Hand sanitisers, temperature check equipment, gas/electric furnaces for crematoriums too will attract lower 5 per cent tax, compared to 18 per cent earlier. Also read | Indian govt issues guidelines on COVID-19 in children, says Remdesivir not recommended In the previous meeting of the GST Council on May 28, taxes on COVID-19 vaccines and medical supplies were left unchanged after the BJP and Opposition ruled states sparred over whether the tax cut benefits will reach the common man. An 8-member GoM, under Sangma, was set up to recommend GST rate on Covid essentials. The other members of the GoM are Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitinbhai Patel, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Goa Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, Finance ministers of Kerala (K N Balagopal), Odisha (Niranjan Pujari), Telangana (T Harish Rao) and UP (Suresh Kr Khanna). Also read | Govt allocates additional 1.7 lakh vials of Amphotericin-B to states, UTs To a query on Congress saying that they were not made part of the GoM, Sitharaman said, "... I don't want to comment on what was said outside. In the Council, the three Congress ministers said that in the future at least you should consider having us in GoM. The selection into a GoM is never made on party basis, neither is the exclusion. There are several GoMs and several ministers are made members of the GoM. All states are given representation in one or the other GoM. Neither the inclusion, nor the exclusions happen on political party affiliations." Industry chamber PHDCCI said the calibrated reduction in the rates of GST on Covid relief essentials will go a long way in treating Covid cases and to provide required relief for treatment of infections. "PHDCCI looks forward to the continued reform measures by the government to mitigate the daunting impact of Covid on people and to make India free from the pandemic," it said in a statement.

GST slashed on COVID-19, black fungus medicines; 5% tax retained on vaccines

The government has allocated an additional 1.7 lakh vials of Amphotericin-B drug, used to treat black fungus infection, to states and union territories, Union Minister Sadananda Gowda said on Wednesday.

"Ensuring adequate availability and smooth supply of #Amphotericin-B across the country, additional 1,70,000 vials of the drug have been allocated to all the States/UTs &amp; Central Institutions today," the chemicals and fertilisers minister tweeted.

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Ensuring adequate availability and smooth supply of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Amphotericin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Amphotericin</a>-B across the country, additional 170,000 vials of the drug have been allocated to all the States/UTs &amp; Central Institutions today.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmphotericinB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmphotericinB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackFungus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlackFungus</a><a href="https://twitter.com/Pharmadept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Pharmadept</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PIB_India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PIB_India</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MoHFW_INDIA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoHFW_INDIA</a>
— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) <a href="https://twitter.com/DVSadanandGowda/status/1402591534403313670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Gowda added that an additional 15,520 vials of the critical drug have been allocated to Karnataka.

"So far, a total of 40,470 vials of the drug have been allocated to the state including today's allocation for timely treatment of patients," he said.

Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh Mandaviya said in the first nine days of June, the government has allocated 3,21,100 vials of Liposomal Amphotericin-B to states.

"We are working continuously to import and manufacture liposomal &amp; conventional Amphotericin-B to meet current demands," he tweeted.

Amphotericin-B is used to treat Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, which damages the nose, eyes, sinuses, and sometimes even the brain.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/black-fungus-drug-amphotericin-b-to-be-priced-at-rs-1200-for-each-vial-in-india-387750">Black fungus drug Amphotericin B to be priced at Rs 1200 for each vial in India</a>

Mucormycosis can be life-threatening in diabetic or severely immunocompromised individuals such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS.

The doctors in the country are documenting an alarming number of cases of Mucormycosis among patients with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> and those who have recently recovered.

They believe that Mucormycosis may be triggered by the use of steroids, a life-saving treatment for severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients.&nbsp;

The government has allocated an additional 1.7 lakh vials of Amphotericin-B drug, used to treat black fungus infection, to states and union territories, Union Minister Sadananda Gowda said on Wednesday.

The government has allocated an additional 1.7 lakh vials of Amphotericin-B drug, used to treat black fungus infection, to states and union territories, Union Minister Sadananda Gowda said on Wednesday. "Ensuring adequate availability and smooth supply of #Amphotericin-B across the country, additional 1,70,000 vials of the drug have been allocated to all the States/UTs & Central Institutions today," the chemicals and fertilisers minister tweeted. Ensuring adequate availability and smooth supply of #Amphotericin-B across the country, additional 170,000 vials of the drug have been allocated to all the States/UTs & Central Institutions today.#AmphotericinB #BlackFungus@Pharmadept @PIB_India @PMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA — Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) June 9, 2021 × Gowda added that an additional 15,520 vials of the critical drug have been allocated to Karnataka. "So far, a total of 40,470 vials of the drug have been allocated to the state including today's allocation for timely treatment of patients," he said. Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh Mandaviya said in the first nine days of June, the government has allocated 3,21,100 vials of Liposomal Amphotericin-B to states. "We are working continuously to import and manufacture liposomal & conventional Amphotericin-B to meet current demands," he tweeted. Amphotericin-B is used to treat Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, which damages the nose, eyes, sinuses, and sometimes even the brain. Also read | Black fungus drug Amphotericin B to be priced at Rs 1200 for each vial in India Mucormycosis can be life-threatening in diabetic or severely immunocompromised individuals such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS. The doctors in the country are documenting an alarming number of cases of Mucormycosis among patients with COVID-19 and those who have recently recovered. They believe that Mucormycosis may be triggered by the use of steroids, a life-saving treatment for severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Govt allocates additional 1.7 lakh vials of Amphotericin-B to states, UTs

Rajasthan has declared Mucormycosis as an epidemic with&nbsp;around a hundred&nbsp;black fungus patients in the state.

Assam has also reported its first case of black fungus in a COVID-19 patient in the city of Guwahati.

"We have got 48 patients of Mucormycosis admitted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Sixteen patients are waiting for hospitalisation. A group of ENT and eye surgeons are looking after the patients," Dr DS Rana, chairperson, Delhi&nbsp;Ganga Ram Hospital, said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-black-fungus-or-mucormycosis-symptoms-and-treatment-384366">Mucormycosis</a> or black fungus is a rare fungal infection. It is caused by a group of moulds called micromycetes. These moulds live throughout the environment. It is often seen in the form of blackish moulds.&nbsp;

The black fungus affects the sinuses, the brain and the lungs while it has been observed in recovered COVID-19 patients, it mostly affects immuno-compromised patients with diseases like diabetes, cancer and others.

According to the United States CDC, it is most common in diabetic patients. The symptoms include headaches to nasal congestion.

Patients typically have a stuffy and bleeding nose, swelling and pain in the eye, drooping of eyelids and often loss of vision.

If diagnosed late, it even has a mortality rate of around 50 per cent.

Prior to the pandemic, the infection was very rare but the sudden rise can be attributed to multiple factors including the use of steroids in COVID-19 patients. The black fungal infection may be being triggered by the use of steroids and exposure to wet surfaces also increases the chances of infection.

While the frequency of the fungal infection is on the rise during this second wave, one way to stall it by administering the right dose and duration of steroids.

When detected on time, it is often treated with an anti-fungal intravenous injection.

Rajasthan has declared Mucormycosis as an epidemic with around a hundred black fungus patients in the state. Assam has also reported its first case of black fungus in a COVID-19 patient in the city of Guwahati.

Rajasthan has declared Mucormycosis as an epidemic with around a hundred black fungus patients in the state. Assam has also reported its first case of black fungus in a COVID-19 patient in the city of Guwahati. "We have got 48 patients of Mucormycosis admitted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Sixteen patients are waiting for hospitalisation. A group of ENT and eye surgeons are looking after the patients," Dr DS Rana, chairperson, Delhi Ganga Ram Hospital, said. Mucormycosis or black fungus is a rare fungal infection. It is caused by a group of moulds called micromycetes. These moulds live throughout the environment. It is often seen in the form of blackish moulds. The black fungus affects the sinuses, the brain and the lungs while it has been observed in recovered COVID-19 patients, it mostly affects immuno-compromised patients with diseases like diabetes, cancer and others. According to the United States CDC, it is most common in diabetic patients. The symptoms include headaches to nasal congestion. Patients typically have a stuffy and bleeding nose, swelling and pain in the eye, drooping of eyelids and often loss of vision. If diagnosed late, it even has a mortality rate of around 50 per cent. Prior to the pandemic, the infection was very rare but the sudden rise can be attributed to multiple factors including the use of steroids in COVID-19 patients. The black fungal infection may be being triggered by the use of steroids and exposure to wet surfaces also increases the chances of infection. While the frequency of the fungal infection is on the rise during this second wave, one way to stall it by administering the right dose and duration of steroids. When detected on time, it is often treated with an anti-fungal intravenous injection.

Rajasthan declares black fungus an epidemic

Black Fungus or Mucormycosis, a rare deadly fungal infection's multiple cases in patients of COVID-19 have been reported in India in the past few days. Mucormycosis is a fungal infection triggered by COVID-19 and has been a cause of disease and death of patients in transplants, ICUs, and immunodeficient patients since long. Black fungal infection can turn dangerous if left untreated and may turn fatal if uncared for. Watch this video to know how to prevent Mucormycosis and some dos and don'ts for black fungus in COVID patients.

Black Fungus or Mucormycosis: Deadly fungal infection making some COVID-19 patients blind in India