Rajasthan government steps up fight against dengue, H1N1

Intensifying its fight against malaria, dengue and swine flu, the Rajasthan government on Tuesday classified them under ‘notified disease’

This step empowers health department officials to enter construction sites and buildings to check if these locations are breeding grounds for mosquitoes and take blood samples of suspected patients.

With the issuance of the notification under the Rajasthan Epidemic Act, 1957, now it will also be mandatory for doctors, hospitals and diagnostic labs from the public and private sector to report these cases to local health authorities.

“In the first instance, the health official will issue warning in writing to the owner or the occupier of a place which has become breeding ground for mosquitoes. If the person fails or refuses to take measures or adopt the method of treatment within the time mentioned in the notice, the officer himself will take such measure and recover the cost along with service charges from the owner or occupier of the property,” says the notification.

As per the notification all doctors in health institutions will have to follow Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India technical guidelines and whosoever violates these will be fined of Rs 500 for each offence.