Malaria's Origins: Tracing the Disease's Ancient History

The origins of malaria are not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in sub-Saharan Africa. Evidence of malaria parasites has been found in fossilized mosquitoes dating back to the Miocene epoch, around 20 million years ago. These fossils were discovered in the Dominican Republic and suggest that malaria may have been present in the Americas prior to the arrival of humans. However, the exact geographic origin of malaria remains uncertain.