Fungal infection detected in some virus patients in Oman

Oman says 3 virus patients have become infected with mucormycosis, a life-threatening condition commonly known as ‘black fungus,’ which has spread quickly among virus patients in India

MUSCAT

Oman announced on Tuesday that its doctors have detected a potentially fatal fungal infection afflicting some coronavirus patients, the first such known cases on the Arabian Peninsula as the sultanate faces a surge in COVID-19 infections that has swamped its hospitals.

The country’s health ministry reported that three COVID-19 patients in Oman have become infected with mucormycosis, a life-threatening condition commonly known as “black fungus,” which has spread quickly among virus patients in hard-hit India.

It wasn’t immediately clear what condition the three patients were in.

Although the disease remains relatively rare, its sudden increase has stirred fears among doctors and health officials struggling to combat COVID-19 surges around the world.

Omani authorities said the infectious delta variant, first detected in India, is coursing through the Gulf Arab state.

Oman’s cases have more than tripled in the past month, with authorities recording over 2,000 new cases and 33 deaths on Tuesday.