Jaipur: Worried over the spike in number of dengue cases reported this year, the health department has decided to fine owners of houses and buildings for larvae breeding.This year, Rajasthan saw the highest number of dengue cases ever reported in past 21 years. On Friday, directions were issued to all chief medical health officers (CMHOs) to take action against owners of buildings and houses if found guilty of mosquito breeding. This year, over 8,490 persons were diagnosed with dengue, which is the highest ever figure in a year in past 21 years. “We have prepared a form under gazette notification issued on May 28 for declaring notifiable diseases (seasonal influenza, malaria and dengue) for serving notice to owners flouting gazette notification,” said Dr Ravi Prakash Mathur, additional director (rural health), health department.The health department officials will inspect houses, buildings and construction sites. “We will give 24-hour time by serving notice to the owners to remove larvae breeding sites on their premises. If they fail to do so in 24 hours’ time, we will impose penalty on them.A person flouting gazette notification may face penalty upto Rs 500,” said Dr Mathur. The owners of houses and buildings will also face action if they do not allow health inspectors into their houses. Barring health department officials and Jaipur Municipal Corporation officials from carrying out spraying, collecting blood samples for diagnostic tests or providing treatment will also attract action. Also, hospitals and diagnostic centres will be penalised if they flout gazette notification on dengue and malaria.

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