The first case of black fungus infection Mucormycosis, has been found in a Covid-19 patient at Assam, on Tuesday.

A 27-year-old man has been found with the rare fungal infection. He is admitted in a private hospital in Guwahati.

According to sources, the man was admitted to the city’s Apollo Hospital two days back.

The contraction of the infection is still not known. The patient is stable at the moment.

A group of mould called mucormycetes causes black fungus or Mucormycosis.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, these fungi dwell particularly in soil and in decaying organic matter, such as leaves, compost piles, rotten wood or in wet environment.

The infection affects the sinuses or lungs, if the fungal spores are breathed.

According to Medical experts, mucormycosis is an “opportunistic infection” which fastens on to people who are sick or are on medications that lower the body’s immunity to fight against infections.

The government has asked not to give steroids at the beginning of Covid-19, but after six days when oxygen will be required, to prevent black fungus attack.

The government has recommended, “When a patient is put on oxygen support, which has a humidifier containing water, the chances of him or her getting the fungal infection increases. It should be ensured that water does not leak from the humidifier”.

Mucormycosis brings in HIV/AIDS, uncontrolled, cancer, kidney failure, organ transplant, long -term corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy, among others.