Tamil Nadu Invokes Public Health Act for Dengue Control Amid Rising Cases
In response to an upsurge in fever cases, particularly dengue, in Tamil Nadu, the Directorate of Public Health (DPH) and Preventive Medicine has activated provisions of the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act 1939 related to the notification of dengue cases to local health authorities and the implementation of mosquito control measures. The Act stipulates penalties for failing to report notifiable diseases, non-compliance with notices mandating measures against mosquito breeding, or hindering mosquito control efforts.
T.S. Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, issued circulars to relevant authorities emphasizing the need to sensitize and instruct all government hospitals, major private hospitals, and laboratories to report notifiable diseases to the District Surveillance Officer/District Surveillance Unit through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme-Integrated Health Information Platform.
The Act also contains provisions (Sections 83 to 88) regarding mosquito control activities, with specified penalties for non-compliance, such as fines ranging from ₹50 to ₹500 for various offenses. Local bodies, including the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), may levy penalties based on council resolutions and Gazette notifications.
