KATHMANDU: As many as 26 cases of black fungus have been confirmed in Nepal, according to the Ministry of Health and Population.

According to hospital sources, 13 black fungus patients have been admitted to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital while the condition of two of the patients is said to be critical.

Doctors say that many patients suffer from complications and blindness if they do not reach the hospital on time. One person has died due to black fungus and two others have had their eyes removed.

There is a shortage of amphotericin B for black fungus patients. Amphotericin B has been included in India’s list of banned drugs.

The Ministry of Health had requested the World Health Organization to send 3,000 vaccines for black fungus patients.

However, the WHO responded by saying it was not readily available.