Dengue Declared An Epidemic in Karnataka; Mosquito Breeders to be Fined

Bengaluru: Karnataka has declared dengue as an epidemic. The state is witnessing the worst dengue outbreak in a decade.

The state government has decided to impose a fine if mosquito breeding sites exist in houses, commercial establishments and construction sites.

The number of dengue cases in Karnataka has already crossed 24,500 this year, which is nearly 5,000 more than the total number of cases reported in 2023.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Karnataka government said it has notified dengue fever, including severe forms of dengue fever, as an epidemic disease in the state under the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020.

As part of the notification, “It shall be the duty of every owner, occupier, builder or other person in-charge of any land or building or any place including water tanks, parks, play-ground to take necessary measures to prevent breeding of mosquitoes therein.”

The rules grant the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which is the municipal corporation of Bengaluru, and the deputy commissioner of other districts the power to enter houses and other premises to inspect whether the rules for preventing mosquito breeding are being implemented.

If any lapses are found, the authorities can levy fines between Rs 400 and Rs 2,000.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection caused by the dengue virus, transmitted primarily by female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.