NEW DELHI - Authorities in the central India state of Madhya Pradesh said on Wednesday that 50 cases of black fungus also known as Mucormycosis were reported among COVID-19 patients.

The information was given by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during a briefing following a high-level meeting.

The meeting was convened in Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, on fresh challenges faced by COVID-19 patients.

"Cases of black fungus have been detected and this is my concern right now," Chouhan said. "So far 50 cases have been reported from across the state."

The state government will roll out detailed protocols for black fungus and treatment will be done accordingly.

Patients suffering from the black fungus infection typically have symptoms of stuffy and bleeding nose, swelling of and pain in the eye, drooping of eyelids and blurred and finally, loss of vision.

"The government will keep the treatment available at hospitals and free treatment will be provided to economically weak patients," Chouhan said.

Health experts said it affects the sinuses, the brain and the lungs and can be life-threatening in diabetic or severely immunocompromised individuals, such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS.

India has been hit by a devastating second wave of COVID-19 infections.

The health ministry said on Wednesday morning that 348,421 new cases and 4,205 related deaths were registered in the past 24 hours across the country.