Doctors in India are fighting a fungus that is infecting COVID-19 patients and those who have recovered from the new coronavirus. The dangerous infection, called mucormycosis, is rare. But doctors say its sudden increase could make India’s fight against COVID-19 even more difficult. India has reported almost 27 million cases of the coronavirus since the pandemic began. Almost half of that number has been recorded in the past two months. The Health Ministry on Monday reported 4,454 new deaths in the last 24 hours. That brings India’s total to over 303,720. India also reported 240,842 new infections Monday. India’s vaccination drive has also slowed recently. Many states say they do not have enough vaccines. India is the world’s largest vaccine-producing country. But it has fully vaccinated just 3.8 percent of its almost 1.4 billion people. Experts say new infections in India may finally be slowing. But there are some early signs that mucormycosis, also known as “black fungus,” is becoming a serious concern. Mucormycosis is caused by exposure to the mucor mold, which is found in soil, air and even in the nose of humans. It spreads through the lungs and damages the face. Sometimes, doctors have to remove an eye to prevent the infection from reaching the brain. On Saturday, federal minister Sadananda Gowda said nearly 9,000 cases had been reported in India. The quick rise has led to a shortage of Amphotericin B, the drug used to treat the condition. Local media have said more than 250 have died from infections. Mucormycosis infections can cause death at a high rate. The fungus was present in India before the pandemic. It is not contagious, but the high number of cases in the last month has surprised and worried doctors.