Malaria is an ancient disease that has always been linked to human history.
Already in China in 2700 BC, some characteristic symptoms of the disease were known. However, the first reference to the complete clinical picture of malaria dates back to Hippocrates (Greece, 4th century BC) which describes the typical intermittent fever and first places a link between malarial infection and marshy environments.
Later, malaria spread in Italy, where the hydraulic works and the ability of the Romans to cure agricultural fields hindered the advance of the disease. When the Roman Empire lost its splendor, the outbreaks made their appearance again, leading to a long reclamation work until the Middle Ages.
The etymology of the word " malaria " derives precisely from an Italian medieval term " mal aria ", which means bad air . In France, it was preferred to use the Latin derivative " paludisme " (in fact, malaria is also called paludism), from the belief that the disease was caused by the exhalations of soft air coming from swampy areas. The term "malaria" became synonymous with the disease only in the late nineteenth century.
