J&K declares Black Fungus as an ‘epidemic’; issues communication bar

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir on Monday declared black fungus or mucormycosis as an epidemic disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act- 1897.

In an official order issued by the Financial Commissioner Health and Medical Education Department, Govt of J&K, a copy of which has been obtained by Ziraat Times, the administration also issued a strict communication bar, prohibiting any institution and individual from spreading any information or material related to management of the disease without prior permission of the Health Department.

Institutions have also been barred from using any print or electronic media from disseminating any information related to the epidemic. Any violation of the order, as per the terms of the notification issued in this regard, would invite stern legal/disciplinary action as per the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.

The move comes days after the Government of India directed the states and Union territories to make Black Fungus a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act.

Jammu and Kashmir reported its first death due to black fungus on Friday after a 40-year-old Covid-19 recovered patient died of mucormycosis at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu.

According to officials of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Government Dental College Srinagar, GDC Srinagar, one case of mucormycosis was successfully was operated in the institution in Nov 2020 and another strong suspect case is admitted in there.