With the State fighting a battle against fever, especially dengue, transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, the Directorate of Public Health (DPH) has begun taking legal action against those who do not clear mosquito breeding sources from their premises. Around 3,000 notices have been issued by local bodies across the State, said Director of Public Health, K. Kolandaisamy.
In an order issued to the deputy directors of health services in all districts earlier this week, the DPH has called for the strict enforcement of the various provisions of the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939, and in cases where health education fails, to take the legal approach.
Police complaint
The order also states, that if necessary, if the owner of the premises is uncooperative and wilfully fails to keep his/her premises free from mosquito breeding, a police complaint may be lodged under section 269 of the Indian Penal Code. This section deals with negligent acts likely to spread an infection of disease that is dangerous to life and carries with it a punishment of imprisonment of up to six months, or a fine or both — but this step will only be taken in extreme cases, he said.
The order will apply to all private homes, institutions, government and quasi-government buildings, said Dr. Kolandaisamy. The legal notices are having an effect with the public, he said, and are also empowering health workers. If the legal notices are not complied with, block health supervisors are authorised to institute prosecution.
“Even with education and awareness, there continues to be a lack of civic sense. The legal notice instils some responsibility. We will not immediately prosecute. We will give a day’s time for the premises to be cleaned,” he said.
Under the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, no person can have, keep or maintain any collection of standing or flowing water in which mosquitoes breed or are likely to breed.
Owners must cover all water storage containers in a mosquito-proof manner, scrub containers with bleach and remove all unused items, such as tyres, tins, boxes and cups. The mosquito can travel up to 500 m, putting the neighbourhood at risk even if one household has a breeding source, he said.
