In Karnataka, six deaths were reported due to Dengue this year. The Deputy Director for Malaria and Filaria in State Health Department, Dr. Channamalaiah informed that 559 Dengue cases were reported till June 15, this year. To contain the break of epidemic, the health department has taken up extensive spraying in areas where parasitic index is found high. The Deputy Director informed that spraying is done in 15 districts of the state covering 177 Primary Health Centres. He said the phase two of spraying will begin soon. ‘The Rapid Response team and ASHA spread across the state are engaged in surveillance of epidemic affected areas and taking suitable steps to kill mosquitoes and its larvaes. The larvae eating fishes such as Gambisia ad Gappi are released to water bodies. He however added the Malaria cases which were 24,237 in 2011 have been contained this year, as the number of malaria cases in the state stands at 3885 till now.