Increased Incidence of Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Mucormycosis After Colorado Flooding

Abstract

In September 2013, central Colorado experienced a record amount of rainfall resulting in widespread flooding. Within 1 month of the flooding, 4 patients presented to the authors' institution with rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis. This represents the largest number of cases ever recorded over a 1-month period. The authors hypothesize that the combination of immunocompromised status and environmental exposure resulted in the increased incidence.