"Black Fungus can be treated and no need to panic," - Dr. Primali Jayasekara

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has recorded 24 people infected with Mucormycosis or the Black Fungus so far in 2021, said the Head of the Fungal Department of the Medical Research Institute Dr. Primali Jayasekara on Monday (24), adding these patients have tested negative for COVID-19.

"In 2019 Sri Lanka recorded 42 patients with Mucormycosis or the Black Fungus while in 2020 that number was 24," she told reporters.

Mucormycosis or the Black Fungus is not something new to Sri Lanka, as the country has a conducive environment for the Black Fungus, she added.

Mucormycosis or the Black Fungus affects people will low immune levels in the body, she said adding that all doctors in the country are aware of the treatment required for patients suffering from the disease.

"The Medical Supplies Division has sufficient stocks of Anti-Fungal drugs to treat such patients and the people do not need to panic over this disease," she stressed.

Dr. Primali Jayasekara said the disease does not transmit from person to person adding it is important for people with low immune levels to refrain from engaging in activity that involved sand and soil.