Hyderabad has reported an unusual incidence of white fungus or Aspergillus developing an abscess in the brain of a Covid recovered patient.

The patient in question had recovered from Covid-19 in May of this year, but had developed limb paralysis and communication difficulties.

A brain MRI revealed clot-like structures that did not go away despite the use of medicines.&nbsp;

It was only after surgery that doctors found that white fungus had formed an abscess in the patient’s brain. 
 
Watch | Gravitas: After black fungus, cases of "white fungus" found in India

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In an interview with TOI, Dr P Ranganadham, senior neurosurgeon at Sunshine Hospitals, described the event as "unusual" and speculated on how the white fungus entered the patient's brain.&nbsp;

Doctors are noticing an increase in a variety of deadly fungal diseases as the second wave sweeps over India, clogging ICUs with critically ill patients.&nbsp;

So far, the white fungus was considered to be a common infection, curable by commonly available medicines.

It is common in rural areas as it is carried by dust, hay or other such particles. Known as Aspergillus Flavus infection in medical parlance, it is not a new disease.

(With inputs from agencies)

Hyderabad has reported an unusual incidence of white fungus or Aspergillus developing an abscess in the brain of a Covid recovered patient. The patient in question had recovered from Covid-19 in May of this year, but had developed limb paralysis and communication difficulties.

Hyderabad has reported an unusual incidence of white fungus or Aspergillus developing an abscess in the brain of a Covid recovered patient. The patient in question had recovered from Covid-19 in May of this year, but had developed limb paralysis and communication difficulties. A brain MRI revealed clot-like structures that did not go away despite the use of medicines. It was only after surgery that doctors found that white fungus had formed an abscess in the patient’s brain. Watch | Gravitas: After black fungus, cases of "white fungus" found in India In an interview with TOI, Dr P Ranganadham, senior neurosurgeon at Sunshine Hospitals, described the event as "unusual" and speculated on how the white fungus entered the patient's brain. Doctors are noticing an increase in a variety of deadly fungal diseases as the second wave sweeps over India, clogging ICUs with critically ill patients. So far, the white fungus was considered to be a common infection, curable by commonly available medicines. It is common in rural areas as it is carried by dust, hay or other such particles. Known as Aspergillus Flavus infection in medical parlance, it is not a new disease. (With inputs from agencies)

White fungus abscess found in the brain of a COVID-recovered patient

India&nbsp;recorded more than 45,000 cases of the deadly "black fungus" over the last two months, the health ministry said, as a nationwide outbreak sweeps through Covid-19 patients.

The country's junior health minister Bharati Pravin Pawar told parliament on Tuesday that over 4,200 people had died of the fungus -- scientific name mucormycosis.

The infection was previously considered very rare but cases have ballooned during the pandemic, usually striking patients after recovery from Covid-19.

It is a highly aggressive disease and surgeons have been forced to remove eyes, the nose and jaw from patients to stop it spreading to the brain.

The death rate is over 50 percent.

According to government data, the highest number of cases were reported in the western state of Maharashtra at 9,348.

India&nbsp;dealt with just 20 cases a year on average before the pandemic, with only people with severely compromised immunity at risk, including those with high blood sugar levels, HIV or organ transplant recipients.

Experts have attributed the recent rise to the excessive use of steroids to treat Covid-19.

The Indian government declared the fungus an epidemic in May as cases shot up and social media has been flooded with desperate pleas for medicines to treat the illness.

Government data tabled on Tuesday suggested infection numbers peaked during May and June and have since substantially decreased.

India recorded more than 45,000 cases of the deadly "black fungus" over the last two months, the health ministry said, as a nationwide outbreak sweeps through Covid-19 patients.

India recorded more than 45,000 cases of the deadly "black fungus" over the last two months, the health ministry said, as a nationwide outbreak sweeps through Covid-19 patients. The country's junior health minister Bharati Pravin Pawar told parliament on Tuesday that over 4,200 people had died of the fungus -- scientific name mucormycosis. The infection was previously considered very rare but cases have ballooned during the pandemic, usually striking patients after recovery from Covid-19. It is a highly aggressive disease and surgeons have been forced to remove eyes, the nose and jaw from patients to stop it spreading to the brain. The death rate is over 50 percent. According to government data, the highest number of cases were reported in the western state of Maharashtra at 9,348. India dealt with just 20 cases a year on average before the pandemic, with only people with severely compromised immunity at risk, including those with high blood sugar levels, HIV or organ transplant recipients. Experts have attributed the recent rise to the excessive use of steroids to treat Covid-19. The Indian government declared the fungus an epidemic in May as cases shot up and social media has been flooded with desperate pleas for medicines to treat the illness. Government data tabled on Tuesday suggested infection numbers peaked during May and June and have since substantially decreased.

India records more than 45,000 cases of 'black fungus'

The government has allocated an additional 1.7 lakh vials of Amphotericin-B drug, used to treat black fungus infection, to states and union territories, Union Minister Sadananda Gowda said on Wednesday.

"Ensuring adequate availability and smooth supply of #Amphotericin-B across the country, additional 1,70,000 vials of the drug have been allocated to all the States/UTs &amp; Central Institutions today," the chemicals and fertilisers minister tweeted.

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Ensuring adequate availability and smooth supply of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Amphotericin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Amphotericin</a>-B across the country, additional 170,000 vials of the drug have been allocated to all the States/UTs &amp; Central Institutions today.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmphotericinB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmphotericinB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackFungus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlackFungus</a><a href="https://twitter.com/Pharmadept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Pharmadept</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PIB_India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PIB_India</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MoHFW_INDIA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoHFW_INDIA</a>
— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) <a href="https://twitter.com/DVSadanandGowda/status/1402591534403313670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Gowda added that an additional 15,520 vials of the critical drug have been allocated to Karnataka.

"So far, a total of 40,470 vials of the drug have been allocated to the state including today's allocation for timely treatment of patients," he said.

Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh Mandaviya said in the first nine days of June, the government has allocated 3,21,100 vials of Liposomal Amphotericin-B to states.

"We are working continuously to import and manufacture liposomal &amp; conventional Amphotericin-B to meet current demands," he tweeted.

Amphotericin-B is used to treat Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, which damages the nose, eyes, sinuses, and sometimes even the brain.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/black-fungus-drug-amphotericin-b-to-be-priced-at-rs-1200-for-each-vial-in-india-387750">Black fungus drug Amphotericin B to be priced at Rs 1200 for each vial in India</a>

Mucormycosis can be life-threatening in diabetic or severely immunocompromised individuals such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS.

The doctors in the country are documenting an alarming number of cases of Mucormycosis among patients with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> and those who have recently recovered.

They believe that Mucormycosis may be triggered by the use of steroids, a life-saving treatment for severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients.&nbsp;

The government has allocated an additional 1.7 lakh vials of Amphotericin-B drug, used to treat black fungus infection, to states and union territories, Union Minister Sadananda Gowda said on Wednesday.

The government has allocated an additional 1.7 lakh vials of Amphotericin-B drug, used to treat black fungus infection, to states and union territories, Union Minister Sadananda Gowda said on Wednesday. "Ensuring adequate availability and smooth supply of #Amphotericin-B across the country, additional 1,70,000 vials of the drug have been allocated to all the States/UTs & Central Institutions today," the chemicals and fertilisers minister tweeted. Ensuring adequate availability and smooth supply of #Amphotericin-B across the country, additional 170,000 vials of the drug have been allocated to all the States/UTs & Central Institutions today.#AmphotericinB #BlackFungus@Pharmadept @PIB_India @PMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA — Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) June 9, 2021 × Gowda added that an additional 15,520 vials of the critical drug have been allocated to Karnataka. "So far, a total of 40,470 vials of the drug have been allocated to the state including today's allocation for timely treatment of patients," he said. Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh Mandaviya said in the first nine days of June, the government has allocated 3,21,100 vials of Liposomal Amphotericin-B to states. "We are working continuously to import and manufacture liposomal & conventional Amphotericin-B to meet current demands," he tweeted. Amphotericin-B is used to treat Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, which damages the nose, eyes, sinuses, and sometimes even the brain. Also read | Black fungus drug Amphotericin B to be priced at Rs 1200 for each vial in India Mucormycosis can be life-threatening in diabetic or severely immunocompromised individuals such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS. The doctors in the country are documenting an alarming number of cases of Mucormycosis among patients with COVID-19 and those who have recently recovered. They believe that Mucormycosis may be triggered by the use of steroids, a life-saving treatment for severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Govt allocates additional 1.7 lakh vials of Amphotericin-B to states, UTs

After black fungus, now there are reports of a more dangerous white fungus as India battles the second wave of Covid pandemic.

India on Thursday reported a drop in all key metrics. In the last 24 hours, more than 270,000 people tested positive with active cases falling by more than 96,000.

India now has less than 3.2 million active cases and overall the country has close to 23 million people who have recovered, with 360,000 recoveries registered on Wednesday.

The daily death count has dropped below 4,000 after four days, with more than 3,500 deaths being reported on Wednesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-after-black-fungus-cases-of-white-fungus-found-in-india-386377">Watch |</a>

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However, what is complicating India's fight against the virus is new infections, namely Mucormycosis or black fungus which is rare but a serious infection.

Many coronavirus patients who were treated with steroids are now developing black fungus. They have pain around their eyes and face, black nasal discharge, headaches, fever and cough.

The government of India has now asked all states to declare Mucormycosis an epidemic and treating it is proving to be difficult because several states are reporting a shortage of medicines used to treat black fungus.

And as if this wasn't bad enough, now there is something called a white fungus.

Doctors in Bihar's capital Patna have detected cases of "white fungus". Apparently it's more dangerous than black fungus but these are still initial reports, so there's no need to panic.

In Bihar, doctors have found four cases so far. These patients showed symptoms of the Wuhan virus and their lungs were infected but they tested negative.

Doctors fear that unlike the black fungus, the white fungus can spread to other parts of the human body. However, no other state has reported white fungus cases.

Meanwhile, according to a study, two shots of two different vaccines can be taken, not only is it safe, it increases the efficacy of vaccines.

A study has been conducted in Spain with more than 600 people who were given two different shots - one dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine and Pfizer.

The researchers found that if taken together both vaccines produce a potent immune response.

The Spanish government is convinced with the findings. It has decided to allow two million people to take the Pfizer shot as their second dose and AstraZeneca as their first shot for people below 60 years of age.

Last month, Spain had decided to reserve the AstraZeneca jab for those above 60 years of age after the hysteria over blood clots linked to the vaccine.

Some experts believe people below 60 have a higher chance of developing blood clots because their immune system is more powerful. It might go into overdrive with the AstraZeneca vaccine which is why Spain wants to use the Pfizer shot as a second dose.

After black fungus, now there are reports of a more dangerous white fungus as India battles the second wave of Covid pandemic. India on Thursday reported a drop in all key metrics.

After black fungus, now there are reports of a more dangerous white fungus as India battles the second wave of Covid pandemic. India on Thursday reported a drop in all key metrics. In the last 24 hours, more than 270,000 people tested positive with active cases falling by more than 96,000. India now has less than 3.2 million active cases and overall the country has close to 23 million people who have recovered, with 360,000 recoveries registered on Wednesday. The daily death count has dropped below 4,000 after four days, with more than 3,500 deaths being reported on Wednesday. Watch | However, what is complicating India's fight against the virus is new infections, namely Mucormycosis or black fungus which is rare but a serious infection. Many coronavirus patients who were treated with steroids are now developing black fungus. They have pain around their eyes and face, black nasal discharge, headaches, fever and cough. The government of India has now asked all states to declare Mucormycosis an epidemic and treating it is proving to be difficult because several states are reporting a shortage of medicines used to treat black fungus. And as if this wasn't bad enough, now there is something called a white fungus. Doctors in Bihar's capital Patna have detected cases of "white fungus". Apparently it's more dangerous than black fungus but these are still initial reports, so there's no need to panic. In Bihar, doctors have found four cases so far. These patients showed symptoms of the Wuhan virus and their lungs were infected but they tested negative. Doctors fear that unlike the black fungus, the white fungus can spread to other parts of the human body. However, no other state has reported white fungus cases. Meanwhile, according to a study, two shots of two different vaccines can be taken, not only is it safe, it increases the efficacy of vaccines. A study has been conducted in Spain with more than 600 people who were given two different shots - one dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine and Pfizer. The researchers found that if taken together both vaccines produce a potent immune response. The Spanish government is convinced with the findings. It has decided to allow two million people to take the Pfizer shot as their second dose and AstraZeneca as their first shot for people below 60 years of age. Last month, Spain had decided to reserve the AstraZeneca jab for those above 60 years of age after the hysteria over blood clots linked to the vaccine. Some experts believe people below 60 have a higher chance of developing blood clots because their immune system is more powerful. It might go into overdrive with the AstraZeneca vaccine which is why Spain wants to use the Pfizer shot as a second dose.

After black fungus, doctors in Patna uncover white fungus as India battles COVID-19

Rajasthan has declared Mucormycosis as an epidemic with&nbsp;around a hundred&nbsp;black fungus patients in the state.

Assam has also reported its first case of black fungus in a COVID-19 patient in the city of Guwahati.

"We have got 48 patients of Mucormycosis admitted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Sixteen patients are waiting for hospitalisation. A group of ENT and eye surgeons are looking after the patients," Dr DS Rana, chairperson, Delhi&nbsp;Ganga Ram Hospital, said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-black-fungus-or-mucormycosis-symptoms-and-treatment-384366">Mucormycosis</a> or black fungus is a rare fungal infection. It is caused by a group of moulds called micromycetes. These moulds live throughout the environment. It is often seen in the form of blackish moulds.&nbsp;

The black fungus affects the sinuses, the brain and the lungs while it has been observed in recovered COVID-19 patients, it mostly affects immuno-compromised patients with diseases like diabetes, cancer and others.

According to the United States CDC, it is most common in diabetic patients. The symptoms include headaches to nasal congestion.

Patients typically have a stuffy and bleeding nose, swelling and pain in the eye, drooping of eyelids and often loss of vision.

If diagnosed late, it even has a mortality rate of around 50 per cent.

Prior to the pandemic, the infection was very rare but the sudden rise can be attributed to multiple factors including the use of steroids in COVID-19 patients. The black fungal infection may be being triggered by the use of steroids and exposure to wet surfaces also increases the chances of infection.

While the frequency of the fungal infection is on the rise during this second wave, one way to stall it by administering the right dose and duration of steroids.

When detected on time, it is often treated with an anti-fungal intravenous injection.

Rajasthan has declared Mucormycosis as an epidemic with around a hundred black fungus patients in the state. Assam has also reported its first case of black fungus in a COVID-19 patient in the city of Guwahati.

Rajasthan has declared Mucormycosis as an epidemic with around a hundred black fungus patients in the state. Assam has also reported its first case of black fungus in a COVID-19 patient in the city of Guwahati. "We have got 48 patients of Mucormycosis admitted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Sixteen patients are waiting for hospitalisation. A group of ENT and eye surgeons are looking after the patients," Dr DS Rana, chairperson, Delhi Ganga Ram Hospital, said. Mucormycosis or black fungus is a rare fungal infection. It is caused by a group of moulds called micromycetes. These moulds live throughout the environment. It is often seen in the form of blackish moulds. The black fungus affects the sinuses, the brain and the lungs while it has been observed in recovered COVID-19 patients, it mostly affects immuno-compromised patients with diseases like diabetes, cancer and others. According to the United States CDC, it is most common in diabetic patients. The symptoms include headaches to nasal congestion. Patients typically have a stuffy and bleeding nose, swelling and pain in the eye, drooping of eyelids and often loss of vision. If diagnosed late, it even has a mortality rate of around 50 per cent. Prior to the pandemic, the infection was very rare but the sudden rise can be attributed to multiple factors including the use of steroids in COVID-19 patients. The black fungal infection may be being triggered by the use of steroids and exposure to wet surfaces also increases the chances of infection. While the frequency of the fungal infection is on the rise during this second wave, one way to stall it by administering the right dose and duration of steroids. When detected on time, it is often treated with an anti-fungal intravenous injection.

Rajasthan declares black fungus an epidemic

Mucormycosis, commonly called black fungus, is a serious and rare fungal infection affecting those suffering from coronavirus in India.

The black fungus that invades the brain is being increasingly seen in vulnerable patients in India as the health system continues to struggle amid the pandemic.

This infection caused by a group of fungi called mucormycetes. These are ubiquitous in the environment and can often be seen on rotting food. Despite being common in the environment, it doesn’t cause infection in humans as our immune cells can easily fight such pathogens.&nbsp; 
 
Gravitas: What is Black Fungus or Mucormycosis?

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Mucormycosis is a deadly fungal infection found in some Covid-19 patients with uncontrolled diabetes and prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay.&nbsp;

How does the infection start and progress?

The Central government in an advisory said the fungal infection mainly affects people who are on medication that reduces their ability to fight environmental pathogens.

The evidence-based advisory for screening, diagnosis and management of the disease was released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Union health ministry.

“Mucormycosis, if uncared for, may turn fatal. Sinuses or lungs of such individuals get affected after fungal spores are inhaled from the air,” it said.

How is it diagnosed?

Warning symptoms include pain and redness around the eyes and nose, fever, headache, coughing, shortness of breath, bloody vomits and altered mental status, the advisory stated.&nbsp;

In COVID-19 patients with diabetes and immuno-suppressed individuals, one must suspect mucormycosis if there is sinusitis, one-side facial pain or numbness, blackish discolouration over the bridge of the nose or palate, toothache, blurred or double vision with pain, skin lesion, thrombosis, chest pain and worsening respiratory symptoms, it said.

Major risk factors for this disease include uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression by steroids, prolonged ICU stay, malignancy and voriconazole therapy, the ICMR-health ministry advisory stated. &nbsp;

How is it prevented and treated?

To prevent the disease, blood glucose level should be monitored post-COVID discharge and also in diabetic patients; steroids should be used judiciously incorrect timing, dose and duration; clean sterile water should be used in humidifiers during oxygen therapy, and antibiotics and antifungal medicines should be used correctly, it said.&nbsp;

The disease can be managed by controlling diabetes, discontinuing immunomodulating drugs, reducing steroids and extensive surgical debridement- to remove all necrotic materials, according to the advisory.&nbsp;

Medical treatment includes installing peripherally inserted central catheter, maintaining adequate systemic hydration, infusion of normal saline intravenously before Amphotericin B infusion and anti-fungal therapy for at least six weeks besides monitoring the patient clinically with radio imaging for response and to detect disease progression, it said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Mucormycosis, commonly called black fungus, is a serious and rare fungal infection affecting those suffering from coronavirus in India. The black fungus that invades the brain is being increasingly seen in vulnerable patients in India as the health system continues to struggle amid the pandemic.

Mucormycosis, commonly called black fungus, is a serious and rare fungal infection affecting those suffering from coronavirus in India. The black fungus that invades the brain is being increasingly seen in vulnerable patients in India as the health system continues to struggle amid the pandemic. This infection caused by a group of fungi called mucormycetes. These are ubiquitous in the environment and can often be seen on rotting food. Despite being common in the environment, it doesn’t cause infection in humans as our immune cells can easily fight such pathogens. Gravitas: What is Black Fungus or Mucormycosis? Mucormycosis is a deadly fungal infection found in some Covid-19 patients with uncontrolled diabetes and prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay. How does the infection start and progress? The Central government in an advisory said the fungal infection mainly affects people who are on medication that reduces their ability to fight environmental pathogens. The evidence-based advisory for screening, diagnosis and management of the disease was released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Union health ministry. “Mucormycosis, if uncared for, may turn fatal. Sinuses or lungs of such individuals get affected after fungal spores are inhaled from the air,” it said. How is it diagnosed? Warning symptoms include pain and redness around the eyes and nose, fever, headache, coughing, shortness of breath, bloody vomits and altered mental status, the advisory stated. In COVID-19 patients with diabetes and immuno-suppressed individuals, one must suspect mucormycosis if there is sinusitis, one-side facial pain or numbness, blackish discolouration over the bridge of the nose or palate, toothache, blurred or double vision with pain, skin lesion, thrombosis, chest pain and worsening respiratory symptoms, it said. Major risk factors for this disease include uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression by steroids, prolonged ICU stay, malignancy and voriconazole therapy, the ICMR-health ministry advisory stated. How is it prevented and treated? To prevent the disease, blood glucose level should be monitored post-COVID discharge and also in diabetic patients; steroids should be used judiciously incorrect timing, dose and duration; clean sterile water should be used in humidifiers during oxygen therapy, and antibiotics and antifungal medicines should be used correctly, it said. The disease can be managed by controlling diabetes, discontinuing immunomodulating drugs, reducing steroids and extensive surgical debridement- to remove all necrotic materials, according to the advisory. Medical treatment includes installing peripherally inserted central catheter, maintaining adequate systemic hydration, infusion of normal saline intravenously before Amphotericin B infusion and anti-fungal therapy for at least six weeks besides monitoring the patient clinically with radio imaging for response and to detect disease progression, it said. (With inputs from agencies)

What is 'Black Fungus' or 'Mucormycosis'?: Symptoms and treatment

Scientists in the Netherlands have trained bees to identify samples infected with the virus. It is a finding that could bring down the waiting time for a test result from hours and days to mere seconds.

In another major breakthrough, there has been a discovery of a biomarker that can reliably predict whether infected patients will develop severe symptoms.

And then a third big development which is worrying : doctors in Delhi have been witnessing a rise in cases of black fungus in patients once again.&nbsp;The symptoms include face numbness, nose obstructions and swelling in the eyes. Doctors say the infection can be fatal.

Breakthroughs or trends, but going forward all three of these will be tracked to shape our pandemic strategy.

The bees in the Netherlands are not ordinary, and it is no ordinary experiment. These insects have been trained to detect infected COVID-19 samples through their unusually keen sense of smell.

It is a finding that could cut the waiting time for test results to seconds. Scientists at the Wageningen University in the Netherlands have been training these bees for months.

They started off by giving the bees a treat: a sugar-water solution. Each time they were exposed to the scent of a mink infected with COVID-19 and each time they were exposed to a non-infected sample, they wouldn't get a treat.&nbsp;

Eventually, the bees could tell the difference - they could identify an infected sample within a few seconds by extending their straw-like-tongue to drink sugar water. It was a confirmation of a positive coronavirus result - a quick &amp; cheap method that could prove useful in countries where tests are scarce.

"We collect, we take the bees from honey beekeepers here in the region and we use a set of these every day and we put those bees in harnesses to fix them," said Wim van der Poel, a professor in virology and research leader, emerging and zoonotic viruses, at Wageningen University.

"Then we present coronavirus positive and coronavirus negative samples and after presenting a positive sample, we always present sugar water afterwards. So in the end the bees extend their proboscis after being presented a coronavirus positive sample and in that way we can train bees pretty quickly."&nbsp;

Nearly 800 kilometres away, researchers at the University of Zurich have made another significant discovery. They have identified the first biomarker which can reliably predict which patient will develop severe symptoms.

A biomarker is a set number of natural killer T-cells in the blood. These cells are primarily white blood cells&nbsp;that are part of the early immune response.

Based on the biomarker, doctors will be able to decide which treatment and measures need to be taken for a certain patient.

In India, the struggle gets tougher. Doctors have reported rising cases of mucormycosis in the national capital.&nbsp;In the last two days, six patients have been hospitalised with a serious but rare fungal infection. Black fungus is caused by a group of moulds or micromycetes.&nbsp;

These moulds live throughout the environment but mainly affect people with existing health issues or people who take medicines that lower the body's ability to fight germs.

The symptoms include face numbness, nose obstruction on one side, swelling in the eyes&nbsp;and pain. Experts say this disease can prove to be fatal.

Scientists in the Netherlands have trained bees to identify samples infected with the virus. It is a finding that could bring down the waiting time for a test result from hours and days to mere seconds.

Scientists in the Netherlands have trained bees to identify samples infected with the virus. It is a finding that could bring down the waiting time for a test result from hours and days to mere seconds. In another major breakthrough, there has been a discovery of a biomarker that can reliably predict whether infected patients will develop severe symptoms. And then a third big development which is worrying : doctors in Delhi have been witnessing a rise in cases of black fungus in patients once again. The symptoms include face numbness, nose obstructions and swelling in the eyes. Doctors say the infection can be fatal. Breakthroughs or trends, but going forward all three of these will be tracked to shape our pandemic strategy. The bees in the Netherlands are not ordinary, and it is no ordinary experiment. These insects have been trained to detect infected COVID-19 samples through their unusually keen sense of smell. It is a finding that could cut the waiting time for test results to seconds. Scientists at the Wageningen University in the Netherlands have been training these bees for months. They started off by giving the bees a treat: a sugar-water solution. Each time they were exposed to the scent of a mink infected with COVID-19 and each time they were exposed to a non-infected sample, they wouldn't get a treat. Eventually, the bees could tell the difference - they could identify an infected sample within a few seconds by extending their straw-like-tongue to drink sugar water. It was a confirmation of a positive coronavirus result - a quick & cheap method that could prove useful in countries where tests are scarce. "We collect, we take the bees from honey beekeepers here in the region and we use a set of these every day and we put those bees in harnesses to fix them," said Wim van der Poel, a professor in virology and research leader, emerging and zoonotic viruses, at Wageningen University. "Then we present coronavirus positive and coronavirus negative samples and after presenting a positive sample, we always present sugar water afterwards. So in the end the bees extend their proboscis after being presented a coronavirus positive sample and in that way we can train bees pretty quickly." Nearly 800 kilometres away, researchers at the University of Zurich have made another significant discovery. They have identified the first biomarker which can reliably predict which patient will develop severe symptoms. A biomarker is a set number of natural killer T-cells in the blood. These cells are primarily white blood cells that are part of the early immune response. Based on the biomarker, doctors will be able to decide which treatment and measures need to be taken for a certain patient. In India, the struggle gets tougher. Doctors have reported rising cases of mucormycosis in the national capital. In the last two days, six patients have been hospitalised with a serious but rare fungal infection. Black fungus is caused by a group of moulds or micromycetes. These moulds live throughout the environment but mainly affect people with existing health issues or people who take medicines that lower the body's ability to fight germs. The symptoms include face numbness, nose obstruction on one side, swelling in the eyes and pain. Experts say this disease can prove to be fatal.

Tracking the virus: Three important developments

According to doctors, the fungal infection is caused by a rare killer fungus called Mucor. The fungus leads to a disease called Mucormycosis or Black Fungus. This disease was previously called as zygomycosis.

Airborne killer black fungus linked to COVID-19 detected in Delhi