[Historical outline on malaria and the struggle against it in Venezuela]

The paper presents a synthesis of the history of malaria: the ancient origins of disease, the parasites which produce it, and its vectors. Emphasis is given to its existence in Venezuela, the struggle against its endemic character during the decades of the XXth century and its almost total eradication from malarial areas during the fifties. Reference is also made to current research of an anti-malarial vaccine and its application in a rural area of this country.