Eleven persons have died of dengue in Mumbai since August, while in other parts of Maharashtra eight deaths were reported due to the disease since beginning of the year, Maharashtra government officials said.

At a meeting held at Mantralaya, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh issued a directive that private hospitals must inform the authorities if they admit any suspected or confirmed dengue patients, official sources said.

Health Minister Vimal Mundada, also present at the meeting, said the situation in the state is under control and there is no reason to panic, sources said.

The chief minister stressed that mosquito breeding was the root cause of dengue outbreak and civic authorities must take steps to curb it.