India is witnessing a second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. According to a report of the money-control website on 22nd May 2021, so far the country has recorded over 2.62 crores confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 2,95,525 deaths. A total of 2,30,70,365 people have recuperated from COVID-19 so far. There are 29,23,400 active cases in the country as of date, which comprises 11.12 percent of the total caseload, the data stated. Amidst a rise in coronavirus cases in India, there have been several cases linked to the black fungus infection, or mucomycortisis, which is known to have an extremely high fatality rate. Several confirmed cases have been reported across states, which many believe to be the newest endemic on the rise. However, even though black fungus catalysing post-COVID complications continue to loom, there is a newfound threat that is baffling medical experts. According to reports, cases linked to 'white fungus' infection have been traced in Bihar, which health experts believe to be even scarier than the black fungus threat.
Jyoti Prakash Sahoo*
Dept. of Agricultural Biotechnology, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha (751 003), India
Bhagyalaxmi Panda
Dept. of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha (751 003), India
Ambika Prasad Mishra
Faculty of Agriculture, Dept. of Soil Science, Sri Sri University, Cuttack, Odisha (754 006), India
Kailash Chandra Samal
Sahoo, J.P., Panda, B., Mishra, A.P., Samal, K.C., 2021. The Unseen “Fungal Infections” – An Extra Thrust Aggravating COVID Second Wave in India. Biotica Research Today 3(5), 354-356.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/coronavirus-after-rise-in-black-fungus-cases-white-fungus-cases-reported-in-india-heres-what-we-know-so-far/articleshow/82798610.cms
https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/05/21/white-fungus/
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/black-fungus-mucormycosis-7-250-infected-219-dead-in-india-list-of-states-with-highest-cases-11621571400894.html