Karnataka Govt declares Dengue fever an epidemic disease, to penalise people violating rules

The Karnataka government has officially declared Dengue fever, including its severe forms, as an Epidemic Disease under the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020. The state government has also amended the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Regulations, 2020, to enhance measures to combat the spread of the mosquito-borne illness.

In its notification, the government stated, "In exercise of the power conferred by section 3 of The Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020 (Karnataka Act 26 of 2020), the Government of Karnataka has hereby notified Dengue fever, including severe forms of Dengue fever, as an Epidemic Disease in the State of Karnataka".

The amended regulations place a responsibility on all owners, occupiers, builders, and persons in charge of land, buildings, water tanks, parks, and playgrounds to take necessary measures to prevent mosquito breeding. The regulations are aimed at reducing the mosquito population and limiting



the spread of Dengue fever in both urban and rural areas of the state.

To enforce these regulations, the competent authority or its authorised officer has been empowered to levy penalties on individuals or entities that fail to comply with the measures outlined to prevent mosquito breeding. The fines are as follows:

1. For mosquito breeding found in urban areas, a fine of Rs 400 will be imposed, while in rural areas, the fine will be Rs 200.

2. For commercial establishments, offices, schools, colleges, residential facilities, healthcare facilities, and restaurants, the penalty is set at Rs 1,000 in urban areas and Rs 500 in rural areas.

3. For active construction sites, abandoned areas, and vacant sites, the fine will be Rs 1,000 for both urban and rural areas.

These stringent measures come in response to rising concerns over the increasing cases of Dengue fever in the state.