Sri Lanka, Aug. 13 -- Malaria, a deadly disease spread by the bite of the Anopheles mosquito, is caused by the Plasmodium parasite. Although prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, Sri Lanka was certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a malaria-free country in 2016. However, recent reports of a malaria-related death at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital have raised concerns.We spoke with Dr. Indeevari Gunaratne, a specialist community physician from the Anti-Malaria Campaign, for more insight.

"Malaria was eradicated from Sri Lanka in 2016. The last local patient was reported in 2012, and the last malaria death was in 2007. The WHO officially confirmed Sri Lanka's malaria-free status based on these figures," she sa...