Srinagar, May 24 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Government today declared Mucormycosis or Black Fungus an epidemic under Section 2 of the Epidemic Disease Act 1897.

According to the notification, a copy of which lies with Kashmir news service (KNS), all the Government and private health facilities, Medical Colleges are required to follow the guidelines for screening, diagnosis, management of Mucormycosis, issued by the MoHFW (Gol)/ICMR/Government of Jammu and Kashmir as amended from time to time and make it mandatory for all these facilities to report suspected and confirmed cases to Health Department through District Level Chief Officers and Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP). 

“No person/ institution or organization will spread any Information or material for the management of Mucormycosis without prior permission from Director Health Services, Jammu/Kashmir,” the notification reads. 

The notification also reads that all person, institutions and organisations have been barred from using print, electronic or any other media for Mucormycosis without prior permission from Director Health Service Jammu/ Kashmir. 

In case of disobedience, the Direction Health Services, Jammu/ Kashmir has been authorized to constitute a District Committee headed by Chief Medical Officer or the concerned District which will have specialist of Internal Medicine, Ophthalmology, ENT and Epidemiologist as members to review any disobeying by the person/ institution or organization. 

If proved, any person/ institution or organization shall be punished with an offence punishable under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.  

J&K Govt has issued the notification days after the government of India asked all States and UTs to declare Black Fungus as an epidemic under the EDA within the pandemic.

It is pertinent to mention, J&K has already reported one Black Fungus death at JMC Jammu and a suspected case is admitted in Government Dental College (KNS).