At one time the coastal belt was highly malarious and the whole state was subject to epidemics of Cholera and Smallpox. The incidents of filariasis (a disease caused by the presence of Filarial worms in the blood and glands), Leprosy, and Tuberculosis was high. The high rate of mortality even led to decrease of population in certain places. Since Independence, however, much attention has been paid to health services, and excellent results have been achieved by various programs. The number of hospitals and dispensaries has increased; and the three medical colleges at Cuttack, Berhampur and Burla (Sambalpur) have expanded considerably.