Hotel in Thrissur fined Rs 16,000 for encouraging mosquito breeding

Mannuthy: In a decisive move, a hotel in Paravattani, near Mannuthy, Thrissur, has been fined Rs 16,000 by the health department for creating conditions conducive to mosquito breeding. The penalty was imposed by the Third Judicial Magistrate Court in Thrissur after the hotel disregarded a notice from health authorities.

The hotel's unsanitary conditions and neglect in maintaining cleanliness had contributed to the proliferation of mosquitoes, which poses a risk of spreading infectious diseases. The junior health inspector at Ollukkara Primary Health Centre, Reji V. Mathew, initiated the case under the Kerala Public Health Act.

This fine marks an important enforcement action under the 2023 Public Health Act, being one of the highest amounts levied till date. The Act was introduced last year in response to increasing concerns over diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, such as dengue fever, and aims to curb activities harmful to public health.

The law emphasises the importance of maintaining cleanliness in residential and commercial premises, preventing conditions that enable mosquito breeding, and ensuring safe food distribution to protect public health.