After suffering from a severe fever for a week, 10-year-old Sudipta Chakma ultimately succumbed to malaria. The girl died in July 2025 in the hill district of Rangamati. This untimely death marked the first malaria fatality in the district in nine years.

Not only Sudipta—another person also died of this mosquito-borne disease in the district last year. According to data from the district health office, malaria in the area was believed to be under control. However, the recent deaths have become a renewed source of fear and concern for the health department.

In 2025, the number of deaths from malaria in the country was the highest in the past nine years. This deadly disease is mainly seen in the hill districts of the country. Although the overall prevalence is believed to have declined somewhat compared to the previous year, it is not being eliminated at the expected rate. Rather, in some areas, the number of patients is suddenly increasing at a geometric rate.

Malaria is primarily transmitted through Anopheles mosquitoes. However, at present, not only Anopheles, but various other species of mosquitoes are spreading at an alarming rate in the country. Alongside this expansion, the prevalence of various mosquito-borne diseases is also increasing.