The mosquito effect: malarial chaos shaped history

• World Malaria Day, recognized by the WHO since 2006, emphasizes the need for continued investment and innovation in malaria research.

• The “mosquito effect” through the parasite it carries has fundamentally altered human migration patterns, enabling European colonisation and reshaping the geopolitical landscape of continents.

• Malaria, derived from the Italian “mala aria,” meaning “bad air”, is a saga of discovery, colonisation, human suffering, and scientific breakthroughs.

• The full picture of malaria’s transmission remained elusive until 1880 when French military doctor Alphonse Laveran identified the malaria parasite from the blood of soldiers who had died of fever in Algeria.

• The role of mosquitoes in disease transmission was established by Patrick Manson, who hypothesized that mosquitoes could transmit malaria.

• By 1898, the complete transmission cycle of malaria was scientifically understood.

• European colonial efforts in Africa were severely constrained by extraordinarily high mortality rates.

• The correlation between understanding malaria and colonial expansion is striking. As scientists decoded malaria’s mysteries between 1880 and 1900, European powers dramatically expanded their control across Africa.

• By 1914, European powers had seized control of nearly 90% of the continent, with only Liberia, Ethiopia, and a few more maintaining independence.

• Scientific findings about malaria transmission quickly percolated into colonial policy, leading to the adoption of a policy of segregated living based on new knowledge about Anopheles mosquitoes and the racist perception of Africans as disease reservoirs.

• The success of colonizing Africa was not purely biological, but also influenced innovations and technology to build railroads, steamships, enhanced rifles, and telegraphs.

• The impact of malaria extended beyond Africa, creating a racialised labour economy and contributing to the present long-standing racial tensions and social structures.

• Today, malaria continues to afflict approximately 263 million people annually, killing over 600,000, with Africa reporting 95% of the mortality.