Bhubaneswar, Nov 8 (IANS) The number of dengue cases in Odisha this year increased to 5,535 with authorities Saturday confirming 31 new cases, although the toll from the virus has remained at nine.

A senior state health official said that of the 31 new cases, the highest (11) have been reported from the coastal district of Jajpur followed by the district of Jagatsinghpur, which reported eight cases.

About 73 patients are currently undergoing treatment in the Sriram Chandra Bhanja Medical College in Cuttack, 26 km from here. Five of them are receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of the hospital, the official added.

Last year, 6753 people tested positive for dengue in the state and the toll was five.