The state government has informed the Bombay high court (HC) that while it had taken measures to prevent and contain the spread of dengue on a war footing, it was not getting support from the public as they do not keep their surroundings clean.

The government also said that people do not complete the entire course of treatment as prescribed by doctors, they tend to stop taking medicines within a day or two after the fever subsides. Then they tend to return to the doctor again after the illness gets worse. "Normally, doctors prescribe medication to subside fever in order to detect any other disease through tests, which can be done after 3-4 days. But people stop taking medication as soon as the fever subsides and do not follow up with tests," said additional government pleader Gauri Rao.

A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice BP Colabawalla was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by activist Vishnu Gavali, which requested that the government and authorities concerned be directed to take adequate measures to prevent the spread of dengue and malaria. Asking the HC to declare the disease as an epidemic, the PIL states that several deaths have taken place in last few months.

The government informed the HC that dengue cannot be declared as an epidemic as it is not contagious, and that at the most it, can be termed as an outbreak.

The HC said that people should keep their surroundings clean. "People normally keep their houses clean but fail to keep their neighbourhood clean," remarked chief justice Shah.

The PIL also alleges that deaths have taken place due to a lapse in providing medical facilities by the government. Alleging that the state health department had totally failed to stop or prevent the spread of the disease, the PIL asks for the authorities concerned to be directed to take immediate preventive steps.

The court asked the government to explain in its affidavit the steps being taken to prevent and control the spread of disease, as well as the measures it is taking to spread awareness among the public. The government and Cidco have to file their affidavits within two weeks. It has also issued notice to the BMC. The next hearing for the PIL is on December 17.