History of malaria

The history of malaria is a complex narrative that spans centuries, involving the discovery of the disease, its transmission, and the development of treatments. Malaria has significantly impacted human populations, influencing social and economic structures across the globe.

Ancient History

Baltic amber with insect inclusions, illustrating the ancient presence of mosquitoes.

Malaria is believed to have been present since ancient times. Evidence of malaria has been found in the remains of Egyptian mummies, and references to symptoms resembling malaria appear in ancient Chinese medical texts. The disease was also known in ancient Greece and Rome, where it was associated with swamps and marshes.

Discovery of the Parasite

Drawings by Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran, who discovered the malaria parasite.

In 1880, the French army surgeon Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran discovered the malaria parasite in the blood of a patient. This was a pivotal moment in the understanding of malaria, as it identified the cause of the disease as a parasitic infection.

Transmission by Mosquitoes

Sir Ronald Ross, who demonstrated the transmission of malaria by mosquitoes.

The role of mosquitoes in the transmission of malaria was confirmed by Sir Ronald Ross in 1897. Ross demonstrated that the Anopheles mosquito was responsible for spreading the malaria parasite, a discovery that earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1902.

Development of Treatments

Illustration of the Cinchona tree, the source of quinine.

The treatment of malaria has evolved over centuries. The bark of the Cinchona tree, which contains quinine, was used by indigenous peoples in South America and later introduced to Europe in the 17th century. Quinine remained the primary treatment for malaria until the development of synthetic drugs.

Original preparation of quinine acetate, an early treatment for malaria.

In the 20th century, new antimalarial drugs were developed, including chloroquine and artemisinin. These drugs have been crucial in the fight against malaria, although resistance to some treatments has emerged.

Malaria in the Modern Era

Sir Patrick Hehir's work on malaria in India.

Efforts to control and eliminate malaria have intensified in the modern era. Public health campaigns, vector control strategies, and the development of vaccines are part of ongoing efforts to reduce the burden of malaria worldwide.

Advances in Antimalarial Drugs

Resochin (chloroquine), developed in 1934, was a major advancement in antimalarial treatment.

The discovery of chloroquine in the 1930s and the subsequent development of other antimalarial drugs have been significant milestones. However, the emergence of drug-resistant strains of the malaria parasite poses a continuing challenge.

Related Pages

• Malaria
• Anopheles
• Quinine
• Ronald Ross
• Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran