Delta variant and black fungal invasion: A bidirectional assault might worsen the massive second/third stream of COVID-19 outbreak in South-Asia

M S Bari; M J Hossain; S Akhter; T B Emran

doi:10.1016/j.jemep.2021.100722

Delta variant and black fungal invasion: A bidirectional assault might worsen the massive second/third stream of COVID-19 outbreak in South-Asia

Ethics Med Public Health. 2021 Dec:19:100722. doi: 10.1016/j.jemep.2021.100722. Epub 2021 Sep 4.

Authors

M S Bari¹, M J Hossain¹, S Akhter¹, T B Emran²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmacy, State University of Bangladesh, 77 Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh.
² Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong 4381, Bangladesh.

Abstract

Background: Here, we have shortly reported the recent updates on the disastrous progressions of the deadly delta variant and a virulent coinfection or post-COVID-19 infection of black fungus in India and its neighbouring countries.

Methodology: We searched by utilizing appropriate keywords in Google Scholar, PubMed and other scholarly databases alongside several national and international newspapers to collect the latest data regarding the targeted topic.

Results: Recently, the delta variant is wreaking havoc in India, UK, and other countries around the globe and has also exhibited successful infections in around 20 to 55% of the people who have already recovered from COVID-19 originating from the different strains. Besides, a significant catch is the prevalence of 85.5% and 64.11% of Mucormycosis infections being co-morbid with COVID-19 and diabetes, respectively in South-Asian regions.

Conclusions: To avert the emergence of an epidemic amid the pandemic, prompt actions from concerned authorities are warranted. Proper education on black fungus infection and associated risks from the COVID-19 and diabetes, adequate public awareness, and sufficient healthcare assistance to battle such fungal infections effectively should be ensured as quickly as possible.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Delta plus variant; Epidemic stemming from pandemic; Global public health concern; Mucormycosis; SARS-CoV-2 Indian variant.