Jammu & Kashmir: 2 Dead, 8 Infected With Black Fungus

At least three cases of black fungus have been reported from Kathua, two from Jammu and one each at Udhampur, Srinagar and Reasi.

(Representative Image/Getty)

Srinagar: Amid concerns throughout the country over the increase in cases of black fungus, Jammu and Kashmir has so far reported eight suspected cases of mucormycosis while one more person succumbed to the infection, taking the death toll to two.

At least three cases of black fungus have been reported from Kathua, two from Jammu and one each at Udhampur, Srinagar and Reasi.

Among the fatalities, one is a 40-year-old man from Poonch while the other victim is from Kathua.

“The report of the suspected patient from Kathua as well as eight other patients under treatment is still awaited. Those under treatment are mostly covid-19 patients,” a senior official told ABP News.

This comes as the Jammu and Kashmir government had earlier on Monday declared black fungus an epidemic disease under Section 2 of the Epidemic Disease Act 1897.

READ: India Records 11,717 Black Fungus Cases So Far - Gujarat Has Maximum Infections, Followed By Maharashtra

The guidelines make it mandatory for all such facilities to report suspected and confirmed cases to the health department through district-level officers and Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP).

“No person or institution or organization will spread information or material for management Mucormycosis without prior permission from Director Health Services Jammu/Kashmir,” said the notification issued by the government.

The notification warned that violators will be punished under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).