Bhubaneswar, April 24: The World Health Organisation is gearing up to observe World Malaria Day tomorrow to spread awareness about the vector-borne disease.

There will inevitably be several programmes organised across the state on the day. But the ground reality is stark for Odisha with the disease already starting to assume alarming proportions.

According to data available from National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, the state recorded one malaria death with as many as 44,811 persons testing positive for malaria till February this year.

Besides Odisha, Meghalaya is the only other state that has already recorded a death from malaria. However, the number of affected people in the north-eastern state is much lower, at 1,528, compared to Odisha. To further compound misery for the state, Odisha has recorded the highest number of malaria cases in the country this year already, according to the preliminary data that has been made available.

The state government has decided to distribute Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets across Odisha in an attempt to stop the spread of the disease. It will begin the drive on World Malaria Day tomorrow with three malaria-prone districts - Malkangiri, Koraput and Nabarangpur - getting the mosquito nets. All three of these districts are dominated by tribal communities. People will get the net free of cost.

"We have already procured the nets and will begin the distribution in the three tribal-dominated districts. Later, we will distribute these nets in the other affected districts free of cost. We have a target to distribute about 1.3 crore nets in the next few months," said an official of the health and family welfare department.

According to the plan, mosquito nets will be distributed in 14 malaria-prone districts - Sundargarh, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Nuapada, Angul, Balangir, Boudh Nayagarh and Deogarh.

"We are making constant efforts to control the spread of the malaria menace by spreading awareness about the disease among the citizens. We have rolled out different programmes where we are providing free treatment to the patients. They should be careful and be aware to be able to prevent contracting the disease," said director, health services, Kailash Chandra Dash.

Social activist Girija Mishra said the state was susceptible to the vector-borne disease and people, especially those living in the tribal dominated belt, were exposed to it the most.

"There should be integrated efforts to spread awareness about the disease. The state has been at the forefront of the malaria endemic in the country. The administration should take efforts to rectify this image," he said.

Last year, the state also had to contend with the spread of Japenese Encephalitis, which caused the death of more than a hundred children. That apart, the spread of dengue had also assumed dangerous proportions.