Mucormycosis

Mucormycosis/black fungus disease (earlier called zygomycosis) is a rare but serious angio-invasive infection by a group of fungi, mucormycetes. It is an aggressive, life-threatening infection requiring prompt diagnosis and early treatment that includes antifungal medications and surgery. The global incidence rate varies from 0.005 to 1.7 per million population; highest is in India with 140/106. The global death rate is 46%, while the case fatality rate was maximum for disseminated and 31% for cutaneous forms. Increased incidence of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis in several states in India made it a notifiable disease in May 2021. The current trend indicating the surge was higher in people with pre-existing diabetes and those on systemic corticosteroids. Aspergillosis and invasive candidiasis were other fungal infections in severe and recovering COVID-19 patients (WHO 2021; https://www.who.int/india/emergencies/coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)/mucormycosis ).