Earliest evidence of malaria found: 24-10-2008
Scientists have discovered that malaria may have been endemic in Egypt around 3,500 years ago.
DNA evidence taken from two Egyptian mummies has shown the earliest ever evidence of the disease, according to Discovery News.
"We now know for sure that malaria was endemic in ancient Egypt," pathologist Andreas Nerlich, who made the breakthrough, told Discover news.
"This has only been speculated on the basis reports by [the 5th century B.C. Greek historian] Herodotus and some very faint evidence from ancient Egyptian papyri."
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a child dies from malaria every 30 seconds and travellers entering a malaria zone should consult their doctor about the required medication.
It is now believed that malaria widely afflicted the human race as far back as 1500 BC, but the first written clinical description wasn't written until 400 BC when Hippocrates recorded its symptoms.
Previously, the earliest DNA evidence had been found in the remains of Roman child around 500AD.
Malaria is passed to humans through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito and travellers should educate themselves on how to medicate against the disease.
Find out about our tailor made holidays to Egypt
Order our Brochure for North Africa & Arabia
Audley Travel are specialists in tailor-made individual itineraries for discerning travellers seeking authentic experiences around the world.
See Itinerary Ideas
Itineraries that include Egypt
More Ideas