An infectious disease caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi which occurs mainly in the nasal cavity or nearby mucosa-lined structures such as the conjunctiva. On rare occasions other parts of the body may be infected e.g. genital, rectum, ear and skin. The infection tends to persist for long periods of time (sometimes decades) and occasionally secondary bacterial infection can occur. Infection usually occurs through exposure to stagnant water contaminated with the infectious agent. See also Rhinosporidiosis