The rare fungal disease mucormycosis has killed more than 300 people and infected more than 12,000 in India as the country’s health system continues to grapple with Covid-19. A surgeon at a Delhi hospital told FRANCE 24 that the disease, also known as ‘black fungus’, can infect people who have been treated with oxygen for the coronavirus.
The deadly fungus moves rapidly in the body, attacking the nose, eyes, jaw and brain. Patients need immediate surgery to survive, but they are left with disabilities.
Black fungus can be treated with anti-fungal injections like Amphotericin B, but with the rising number of cases in India, there is an acute shortage.
"We are not able to find injections, we are facing a huge problem," Amit Singh, a relative of a patient, told FRANCE 24. "We are getting no help from the government."
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