How malaria first started?

Malaria is believed to have originated in Africa where it is still most prevalent today. The earliest known evidence of malaria parasites comes from fossilized mosquitoes that lived 100 million years ago. The parasites were found in amber from the Dominican Republic.

Malaria is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites a human, the parasites enter the bloodstream and travel to the liver. In the liver, the parasites multiply and then infect red blood cells. The infected red blood cells rupture, releasing more parasites into the bloodstream. This cycle of infection can cause fever, chills, and other symptoms of malaria.

Malaria is a serious disease and can be fatal if not treated promptly. However, there are effective treatments for malaria and it is preventable by using mosquito repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, and sleeping under a mosquito net.