In a first, Karnataka reports black fungus in 2 children

One is a 14-year-old girl and the other 11-year-old boy, children of farm labourers

The rapidly spreading mucormycosis, commonly known as black fungus, is now affecting children as well. In Karnataka, a 14-year-old girl from Ballari and 11-year-old boy from Challakere in Chitradurga district have been found to be infected with mucormycosis. Both, children of farm labourers, are set to lose one eye to the infection. “These are the first instances of paediatric mucormycosis in Karnataka. Both the children have Type 1 diabetes that was diagnosed only a fortnight ago. The infection has spread to the brain and eyes in both the children. We have referred them to NIMHANS,” said Chikkanarasa Reddy, professor of Paediatrics at Bowring and Lady Curzon Medical College and Research Institute, the designated hospital where the children are being treated.