Small number of Black Fungus cases reported in Egypt

Egypt said cases of Black Fungus have been reported "but in very small numbers" and are being dealt with.

The life-threatening condition, known as mucormycosis, is relatively rare but doctors suspect that the sudden increase in the infection in India could further complicate the fight against the pandemic.

Treatment of the people affected by cases in Egypt "began after consultations with otolaryngologists, neurologists, and also ophthalmologists," said Dr. Ehab Kamal, assistant for medical education to the minister of health during a press conference on Monday.

"Medicines are available and some cases have already recovered from the disease because early diagnosis gives us an opportunity to the control disease," he added.

"There were cases before COVID-19  and after COVID-19, there are no large numbers in Egypt," added Dr. Hossam Hosni, head of the scientific committee to combat Coronavirus in Egypt.

Doctors in India are fighting the fatal fungal infection affecting COVID-19 patients or those who have recovered from the disease amid a coronavirus surge.

Mucormycosis is caused by exposure to mucor mold, which is commonly found in soil, air and even in the nose and mucus of humans. It spreads through the respiratory tract and erodes facial structures.

Sometimes, doctors have to surgically remove the eye to stop the infection from reaching the brain.