NEW DELHI, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Some 26,000 malignant malaria cases have been reported from India's eastern city Kolkata this year, according to the Hindu newspaper Sunday.

    Kolkata city's authorities have asked the residents not to panic despite the spread of dengue and malignant malaria to new areas as "the situation is under control," the newspaper said.

    With an increasing number of dengue and malignant malaria cases being reported from all across the India's third-largest city, the city authorities also announced undertaking of awareness campaigns in the coming days.

    "The authorities will launch extensive awareness campaigns from Nov. 1 through medical camps, leaflets, posters and hoardings. Campaigns through radio and television will also be undertaken," Subodh Dey, a health official said.

    According to the authorities records till Friday, 26,000 malignant malaria cases and 85 dengue cases have been found positive.

    The diseases had claimed three lives each in the last two months, according to Dr. Dey.

    Citing last two years' official figures of people affected with dengue and malignant malaria (dengue -- 394 in 2006 and 30 in 2007,malignant malaria -- 54,705 in 2006 and 31,577 in 2007), Dey said that the situation was better this year.

    Dey also said that the state health department and the city authorities have decided to work in close association to avoid controversy regarding the number of deaths as well as people affected due to the twin diseases.