A NEW deadly "black fungus" has been seen in Covid-19 patients and is attacking the brain - this is everything you need to know.

An increasing number of patients in India are contracting a rare fungal infection, which has been dubbed "black fungus" by doctors.

The infection, called mucormycosis, is aggressive in people whose immune systems have been weakened by other infections and can be fatal.

It comes amid growing concern from England's chief medical officer over the Indian variant of Covid-19.

Although there are currently no recorded cases of mucormycosis in Brighton, we've taken a look at what the new deadly "black fungus" is and if it could reach the city.

How dangerous is Mucormycosis?

In a statement on Twitter, the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) said the infection could prove fatal if untreated.

Those recovering or currently suffering from Covid-19 are more at risk of contracting the infection if they have uncontrolled diabetes, have used steroids during their virus treatment, and have had a prolonged stay in hospital.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms include pain and redness around the eyes and nose, a fever, headache, coughing, vomit with blood in it and black and bloody nasal discharge.

Is it in Brighton?

There are currently no known cases of the Indian black fungus in the city.

However, a strain of Covid first identified in India has been designated as a “variant of concern” as small clusters of cases continue to be detected in some areas across England.

Experts from Public Health England (PHE) have been tracking B16172 – also known as VOC-21APR-02 – which is one of three related variants first seen in India and has since been detected in the UK.

The other two variants – dubbed B16171 and B16173 – remain classified as “variant under investigation”.

According to data by PHE released on Friday, there are, at present, 520 confirmed cases of the B16172 variant in the UK, from 202 over the last week.

The cases are spread across the country, with the majority in two areas – the North West, mainly in Bolton, and London.