'COVID-19 Massive Outbreak' in India, Spread of Fungus Causing Blindness and Death

On the 7th (local time), medical staff wearing personal protective equipment are caring for patients in a temporary COVID-19 ward in New Delhi, the capital of India. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] In India, where COVID-19 cases are rapidly increasing, a deadly fungal infection is also spreading quickly among confirmed patients.

According to local Indian media on the 9th, there have been increasing reports of COVID-19 patients infected with mucormycosis (also known as black fungus), resulting in blindness or death.

Kalpesh Patel, Associate Professor in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital in Gujarat, western India, told ANI news agency, "In the past 20 days, 67 patients with fungal infections have been identified," adding, "We are performing 5 to 7 surgeries daily on these patients."

In Maharashtra, western India, where the spread of COVID-19 is particularly severe, PTI news agency reported that 8 patients have already died from fungal infections, and around 200 are currently undergoing treatment.

Additionally, such cases continue to emerge in major Indian cities including New Delhi and Pune. The patients are known to be infected with mucormycosis, also called "black fungus."

Mucormycosis is commonly found in soil or decaying fruits, and infections caused by this fungus are classified as rare.

Symptoms of mucormycosis include nosebleeds, swelling around the eyes, and blackening of the skin. The infection can spread beyond the eyes and nose to the brain and lungs. The fatality rate is estimated to be as high as 50%.

The local medical community suspects that steroids taken by patients during COVID-19 treatment to prevent inflammation may be a major cause of mucormycosis infection. Steroids may have lowered immunity, increasing the risk of fungal infection.

It is reported that mucormycosis can be treated to some extent with about 8 weeks of intravenous antifungal injections. However, most patients visit hospitals late after the infection has progressed, often requiring medical staff to remove eyes or jawbones to prevent further spread.