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Omicron Scare: Mumbai Reports First Black Fungus Case This Year

In a major concern, Mumbai has reported its first black fungus case of the year amid emerging third wave of the COVID-19 driven by the new Omicron variant.

Omicron Scare: Mumbai Reports First Black Fungus Case This Year
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In a major concern, Mumbai has reported its first black fungus case of the year amid emerging third wave of the COVID-19 driven by the new Omicron variant.

According to reports, a 70-year-old man, who had tested positive for COVID-19 on January 5, started showing symptoms of mucormycosis, known as black fungus on January 12. He was admitted to the Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai Central, where he is currently undergoing treatment.

Also Read: Delta Variant of COVID-19 putting patients at increased risk of Black Fungus

Doctors believe mucormycosis, which has an overall mortality rate of 50 per cent, may be being triggered by the use of steroids.

It was observed that during the second wave of coronavirus, last year, nearly 644 people infected with black fungus had died until July 2021 in Maharashtra. However, this fungal disease was under control in Mumbai by August 2021.

Moreover, the Maharashtra government had decided to use hospitals attached to medical colleges as treatment centres for Mucormycosis, a serious but rare fungal infection now affecting COVID-19 patients.

What is black fungus (mucormycosis)?

Mucormycosis or black fungus is somewhat rare and mostly affects individuals with a weakened immune system or those who have existing health conditions. A group of molds/fungus called mucormycetes cause this infection. This fungus is commonly found in the environment. The infection impacts the skin and can also affect the lungs as well as the brain.

Also Read: What is ‘Mucormycosis’ or ‘Black Fungus’ and How Does it Impact COVID-19 Patients?

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