1 / 6As it battles a furious second coronavirus wave, India is facing another challenge in the form of mucormycosis, often referred to as black fungus, with states reporting a surge in the disease that poses a risk to the brain, lungs and sinuses.2 / 6In Haryana, the count has risen to 421. The infection is on a rise among COVID-19 patients in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand as well.3 / 6Though recently mucormycosis has been reported among coronavirus patients, this fungal infection can happen even to people without COVID-19 disease, the Hindustan Times reported experts as saying. They cautioned those who have high blood sugar against mucormycosis.4 / 6“What medical students are taught about black fungus is that this infects diabetic people — those who have uncontrolled diabetes. The combination of uncontrolled diabetes and some other significant disease may lead to black fungus,' Niti Aayog (health) member VK Paul was quoted as saying.5 / 6A diabetes patient becomes vulnerable to black fungus when one’s blood sugar level reaches 700-800—a situation medically known as diabetic ketoacidosis, the report cited Paul as saying.6 / 6Healthy people do not need to worry about the fungal infection but people with weakened immunity are at greater risk, said All India Institute of Medical Science’s Dr Nikhil Tandon.