Malaria continues to be a giant killer in Odisha though death toll from the disease has declined over the past four years. This year, 18 people have died of the mosquito-borne disease. "Compared to 28 deaths by mid-June last year, the deaths are less and showing a declining trend," said nodal officer, vector-borne diseases, Madan Pradhan. Five persons each died in Kalahandi and Sundargarh. Two each from Koraput, Nabarangpur and Nuapada lost their lives to malaria besides one each from Bhadrak and Dhenkanal, government sources said. "Kalahandi and Sundargarh still remain areas of concern though death in these districts too have fallen in the past four years," he said. Data compiled by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme shows, the state reported 72,000 malaria positive cases this year. A total of 79 people died of malaria in 2012, 100 in 2011 and 204 deaths in 2010. There were 198 malaria deaths in 2009, 239 in 2008, 221 in 2007 and 257 in 2006. Odisha had 2.5 lakh positive cases in 2012, 3.08 lakh in 2011, 3.2 lakh in 2010. There were 3.8 lakh malaria positive cases in 2009. With monsoon, there is a spurt in vector-borne and water-borne diseases. Two persons from Berhampur were confirmed with dengue on Tuesday. Ganjam and Angul districts had reported high incidence of dengue last year. Regional Medical Research Centre director S K Kar said next two months will be crucial. "People should be watchful and avoid water stagnation," Kar said.