India Faces Spread of Black Fungus... Cumulative Deaths Reach 2,100

Published 12 Jun.2021 11:04(KST)

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jihwan] Cases of black fungus infection (officially called mucormycosis) are rapidly increasing in India. The cumulative number of infected individuals has reached 31,000, and deaths have surpassed 2,100, causing growing fear.

According to Indian media reports such as NDTV on the 12th, the number of fungal infection cases has increased by 150% over the past three weeks, with a cumulative total of 31,216 so far. During the same period, the death toll has reached 2,109.

The recent surge in black fungus infections and deaths in India is attributed to a severe shortage of the main antifungal treatment, Amphotericin-B.

Black fungus is generally classified as a rare disease. The medical community believes it has spread mainly among those whose immune systems have weakened due to COVID-19 infection.

Major symptoms of black fungus include nosebleeds, swelling around the eyes, blackening of the skin, blurred vision, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. If not treated properly, the fatality rate can reach 50%.