Of them, 154 people died in 2001, 181 in 2002, 129 in 2003 and 55 in last six months. During the period 3,31,216 people were affected by the disease.

District Civil Surgeon officials said the highest 14 people died of the disease in Sadar Hospital in last six months.

Besides, 12 people died in Ramgarh, eight in Matiranga, six in Manikchhari, five each in Panchhari and Mahalchhari, four in Dighinala and one in Laxmichhari health complexes.

Unofficial sources said the death in the district would be much higher than the official figure as most of the cases in remote areas remained unreported.

Sources said the situation has deteriorated in recent times due to the lack of medicine and shortage of doctors in local health complexes.

District Civil Surgeon Dr Sivash Das said though the number of malaria patients is on rise in the district the situation is under control.