Jaipur: Rajasthan’s health department has put key districts on heightened alert for seasonal and vector-borne diseases ahead of the monsoon after reviewing recent trends, rainfall risks and local transmission patterns.Jaipur, Kota, Ajmer, Udaipur and Sawai Madhopur have been marked high-risk for dengue, with officials told to intensify surveillance in urban and peri-urban areas where stagnant water can quickly become mosquito breeding sites.Pratapgarh, Salumber, Barmer, Udaipur and Banswara have been flagged for elevated malaria risk, especially in pockets with repeated fever cases, poor drainage and limited access to early diagnosis.Kota, Bundi, Baran, Jaipur and Jhalawar have been identified as vulnerable to scrub typhus, a mite-borne infection that often rises after rainfall and can be mistaken for other fever-related illnesses.District teams have been directed to strengthen fever surveys, rapid testing, case tracking and timely referrals. Hospitals and primary health centres have been asked to ensure medicines, diagnostic kits and trained staff are available.Officials have also been told to work with civic bodies on anti-larval measures, fogging where needed, source reduction drives and public awareness campaigns. Special focus will be on schools, construction sites, hostels and settlements near drains, where water accumulation can speed up transmission soon after rain.Health and medical education minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar said directions have been issued for regular monitoring of sensitive areas, active special teams, effective district control rooms and stronger rapid response systems.The department has reviewed preparedness for dengue, malaria, scrub typhus, viral fever and water-borne diseases. It has appealed to residents to keep surroundings clean, prevent water accumulation and contact the nearest health centre if symptoms appear.
