May 24, Colombo: Mucormycosis or the ‘Black Fungus’ is not something new to Sri Lanka, as the country has a conducive environment for the mold commonly found in soil, plants, and damp places, Dr. Primali Jayasekara, Head of the Fungal Department of the Medical Research Institute said.

Speaking at a media briefing held today, Dr. Primali Jayasekara said that although ‘Black Fungus’ patients have been reported in Sri Lanka, none of them have been infected with the coronavirus.

Sri Lanka recorded 42 patients with Mucormycosis or the Black Fungus in 2019, 24 in 2020, 24 so far this year, Dr. Jayasekara said.

She said the people who are immunocompromised are more likely to be infected with the black fungus and the doctors in the country know the treatment required for patients suffering from the disease.

Dr. Jayasekara stressed that the people do not need to panic over this disease as the Medical Supplies Division has sufficient stocks of Anti-Fungal drugs to treat patients with Mucormycosis