J&K Declares Black Fungus As An Epidemic; Bars Officials From Speaking Without Permission

The Jammu and Kashmir administration declared mucormycosis an epidemic and have instructed officials not to make any public statement without approval.

A doctor treats a black fungus patient. (Image: PTI)

Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir administration has declared black fungus or mucormycosis as an epidemic disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act- 1897 and barred officials from making public statements on patients, institutions, or personnel dealing with the epidemic, without prior approval.

UT’s Health and Medical Education issued a notification to declare black fungus as epidemic disease and also issued detailed protocols to be followed.

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 operated in the institution in Nov 2020 and another strong suspect case is admitted there.