Dengue now an epidemic in Karnataka; Bengaluru tops with active case load, other districts follow 

Bengaluru, under the jurisdiction of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), has been particularly hard-hit, reporting 11,590 cases and three deaths as of September 2. Other districts facing high case numbers include Mandya (872), Hassan (835), Mysuru (820), and Kalaburgi (793).

You can be fined too!

To combat the outbreak, the government has empowered authorities to impose fines on individuals and businesses found to be contributing to mosquito breeding. Homeowners in urban areas may face fines of Rs 400, while those in rural areas will be fined Rs 200 if mosquito breeding is detected on their premises. Commercial establishments, including restaurants and vendors, will be fined Rs 1,000 in urban areas and Rs 500 in rural regions for similar violations.

Construction sites, abandoned sits, vacant plots also under radar

Active construction sites, abandoned sites, and vacant plots are also under scrutiny. Owners of these properties will face fines of Rs 2,000 in urban areas and Rs 1,000 in rural areas if they fail to adhere to health guidelines. Persistent violators will incur additional penalties of 50 per cent of the total fine amount for each week of non-compliance.

Government, officials to remain vigilant

The government has mandated regular inspections, the implementation of strict sanitation protocols, and the provision of medical aid to affected areas. Health workers have been instructed to ensure that water storage containers, sumps, and overhead tanks are properly covered to prevent mosquito breeding, and to eliminate solid waste materials that could lead to water accumulation.

Furthermore, health officials are tasked with routinely inspecting vacant spaces, building premises, water tanks, parks, and playgrounds to enforce the Health & Family Welfare Department’s guidelines.

The call for decisive action comes after Bangalore Rural MP Dr. C N Manjunath, a cardiologist, urged the state government in July to declare dengue a state medical emergency. Dr. Manjunath warned that if mosquito breeding is not effectively controlled, the state could face outbreaks of other mosquito-borne diseases such as chikungunya and the Zika virus.

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