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Malaria has had a significant impact on the history of theCaribbean, due to its effects on thecolonization of the islands and the corresponding impact onsociety andeconomy.
Malaria was not found in the Americas prior to the discovery of theNew World by Europeans. There was therefore even lessimmunity among the native populations than there was amongEuropeans.[1] Due to their genetics, African slaves had greater immunity to falciparum malaria, and this was one reason why slaves were brought in great numbers from Africa.
Creoles felt that diseases such as malaria were tools preventing their territories being invaded by Europeans.[citation needed]
The Caribbean countries most affected by malaria were theGreater Antilles islands and other humid islands likeMartinique andTrinidad and Tobago. Anopheles mosquitoes thrive mostly in areas of humidity and fresh water, so the disease was not found on islands such as theBahamas andAntigua.[citation needed]
As of 2019, several cases of malaria occur each year in Trinidad and Tobago.[2]
