Two states in India have declared the âblack fungusâ spreading in its hospitals an epidemic May 20, 2021, 06:49 AM facebook BSIP / Contributor/Getty Images As the country contends with a Covid crisis, two Indian states have declared the black fungus an epidemic as well. The fungus, known as mucormycosis, affects the sinuses, brain, and lungs, and is life-threatening. This means India is now struggling with a second, concurrent epidemic - even as Covid deaths surge. For more stories go to . India is now struggling with not one but two deadly diseases as black fungus infections continue to spread through its hospitals. Two states in India - the northwestern state of Rajasthan and the southern state of Telangana - have declared the black fungus an epidemic, which means that all cases of black fungus must be logged and reported to the government.