In the middle of the fight against the second wave of coronavirus in India, doctors are reporting cases of a rare fungal infection called the “Black Fungus or Mucormycosis,” occurring among people recovering from the Covid-19 disease. As per the doctor’s infection of Black Fungus can be life threatening and has a mortality rate between 46–96 percent depending on severity.
What is Black Fungus: Mucormycosis?
Black Fungus or Mucormycosis is a very rare fungal infection caused by a class of molds called mucormycetes. These fungi are ubiquitous and are commonly found in soil, plants, manure, and decaying fruits and vegetables.
Humans get the infection by inhaling the fungal spores floating around in the air and in dust. It affects the sinuses, the brain and the lungs and can be life-threatening in diabetic or severely immunocompromised individuals, such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS.
Cause of Black Fungus or Mucormycosis in Covid-19 Patients:
People with compromised immune systems may easily fall victim to Mucormycosis, for example, those with blood cancer undergoing chemotherapy or bone-marrow transplant patients.
