Bengaluru/IBNS: Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao is set to issue a circular setting a fixed rate for dengue tests at private hospitals in the state, media reports said.

"There has been a 42 percent increase in dengue testing this year as compared to the previous year.

"Dengue deaths can be prevented only when dengue positive cases are detected as early as possible," Rao said as quoted by Deccan Herald.

The minister announced this after a meeting with officials from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), rural development and health departments.

Rao has asked BBMP officials and ASHA workers to conduct a door-to-door campaign to check for mosquitoes and their larvae.

From January to June end, 6,187 dengue cases and 6 deaths have been reported from the southern state.

Bengaluru, Chikkamahaluru, Mysore, Haveri, Shivamogga, Chitradurga have reported the highest number of cases.