I think that it is a fungus present in the mucous membrane of any person, but it is active when the immunity of a person is low, especially a person previously infected with the Coronavirus, so I do not think it can be transmitted by using the same mask.

Bushra Abdul Hamza Abbas Thanks for contribution. As fungal spores are also present in environment, then aren't there any chances for fungus to grow on masks as these get humid while respiration?

Mucormycosis is a very uncommon infection by mucor mold, which is widely found in soil, plants, manure, and decaying fruits and vegetables causes it. Doctors suspect that the administration of steroids, a life-saving treatment for severe and critically ill Covid-19 patients, maybe triggering mucormycosis, which has a 50% overall fatality rate. Steroids appear to help prevent some of the harm that can occur when the body's immune system goes into overdrive to fight the coronavirus by reducing inflammation in the lungs. However, it was previously considered that this decline in immunity was causing these cases of mucormycosis. Some medical professionals believe that "unhygienic masks" and poorly ventilated rooms may be a problem, while others claim that "no clinical proof" linking the two has been discovered.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-57027829

https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/experts-divided-over-unhygienic-masks-being-factor-for-black-fungus-121052001071_1.html

Manal Hadi Kanaan Thank you for your contribution. This article is really helpful.

Indeed it is possible that spores grow because spores preferable to grow in a humid environment, and indeed the most dangerous characteristic of fungal infections is the presence of spores and their spread in the environment ... In addition to the fact that CO2 that is expelled by exhaling may interact with water vapor in breathing and thus it generates an acid environment, and we know very well that fungi grow well in a moist and acidic environment ... My sincere gratitude, Doctor.

Interesting topic.

Dr Ghulam Yaseen experts have claimed that people are very much afraid due to many fungus arrival and of course afriaed due to contracting the virus, so many of them are wearing different types n kinds of masks to protect themselves and to keep them safe over and over again without washing and that runs the risk of contracting the infection and this is known as fungus which grows in a moist or unhygience areas and this is how one of the reason of contracting black or white fungus.

Secondly cIan also clearly say that unhygience practices like wearing any masks over a long time and without washing and keeping them in pockets or purses and using them again and again or staying in a poorly venitlated rooms such as a basement or closed room for whole day and working without ventilation so this type of behaviour also triggers points for contracting mucormycosis.

Fungi are fungi which become dangerous when human and plant immunity is low. there are five classes of very dangerous mushrooms in the field of agriculture. the most dangerous are imperfect fungi!

Hygiene&Humidity r the most important factors in combating this fungus,so it’s preferrable to wear medical or N-95 mask once to prevent hummidity reaction with co2 resulted by exhalation,more over keeping on washing hands frequently with sanitization.

Good discussion

The disease is caused by fungal spores found in soil and organic matter, usually inhaled by humans from the air. The mould enters the body and then manifests around the nose and eye sockets, causing the nose to blacken, and if not stopped will move fatally into the brain. Healthy individuals will usually fight off the fungus but it can spread fast in those with compromised immunity.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/21/mucormycosis-black-fungus-disease-linked-covid-spreads-india

All kinds of bacteria, fungi, & viruses are everywhere, they become active when the immunity & cleanliness decrease, as pollution increases & the chances of disease increase.

Very important discussion that provoked several valuable agreeable and informative comments from dear RG colleagues

This is the second thread within a week that I come across dealing with this urgent important issue. My curiosity about the disease arose after the announcement of the death of a famous Egyptian actor due to Black Fungus.

I learned that many cases, unfortunately, were reported in India. It attacks ex-COVID-19 patients who suffer from diabetes, heart problems, kidney failures and people who take steroids for body-building. Reports contrasts Black with White Fungus and say that the latter is five times more fatal than the first. But, there were no links, whatsoever, to the wearing of masks. The disease's main symptoms are several and it leaves a big black scar that sits on the nose and much of the cheek and the eye sockets.

I find the following link quite informative:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.dnaindia.com/health/report-black-fungus-vs-white-fungus-what-we-know-so-far-signs-symptoms-and-treatment-2891452/amp&ved=2ahUKEwio7LjHguLwAhUrgP0HHX1KCvYQFjAEegQIChAC&usg=AOvVaw2IczTZN1kVf35huQdWf8g7&cf=1

Excessive use of corticosteroids for treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection is the main reason for mucormycosis (black fungus) in COVID-19 patients.

Article Mucormycosis in COVID-19: A systematic review of cases repor...

Article Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) Associated Mucormycosis (CAM)...

Article SARS-CoV-2, Uncontrolled Diabetes and Corticosteroids—An Unh...

Arvind Singh research articles that you share are really useful. Thanks for participation.

I believe that people with good immunity and maintaining hygiene are far from infection with these fungi.

Mucor fungus is ubiquitous. Occur as common contaminant in air, lab, food materials and moist places. It infects a weak person due to loss of immunity. Healthy person is always immune to Mucor.

Mohamed Yasser Abdalla yes you are right. Thanks for valuable comment.

Karpagavalli Sivasubramanian This is true though. But these days mostly older people are immunocompromised. They must take steroids therapies due to underlying diseases. We can assume they are at risk to get infected.

Ahmed T. Hussein yes I also heard about death of egyptian actor. His brother informed that black fungus started to appear in his eye before death. Its alarming and we should be more careful for the hygiene and immunity.

Thanks sir for sharing valuable thoughts and links.

Shaker A.N. Al-Jadaan I agree with you sir. Cleaning is more important to prevent infections. Thanks for participation.

Md. Abdur Razzak Choudhury Indeed this is true. Poor hygiene is another basic reason for spread of disease. Thanks for sharing valuable link.

Srinivas Kasulla I agree with you. I am afraid that use of unhygienic mask is big reason of this infection. our governments and health care professionals need to spread awareness among locals.

Thank you for your participation and sharing.

Manal Hadi Kanaan But in your opinion, if one uses N-95 mask or other medical masks with filter then can we lower the chances of growth of this infection?

Aparna Sathya Murthy This could be another factor though.Thanks for your participation.

Repeated use of mask is highly dangerous. Because It may be infected by air borne fungus. Due to moisture in mask, fungal growth will be enhanced and spores of the fungus may also get into the respiratory tract of human beings. So avoid the repeated use of same mask.

There is no evidence that links the use of the same face mask again and again to black fungus or mucormycosis. According to a fact-check by Africa Check, a message circulating on Facebook and WhatsApp claims that black fungus is “on the rise in post covid patients” and links this to repeatedly wearing the same face mask without washing it. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.

Due to repeated use of same mask, keep them without washing, there is a chance for occurrence of Mucor fungus and may cause mucomycosis.

I think that Karpagavalli's interpretation is very well explained!