Dutch disease refers to the negative impact on an economy when a country discovers large natural resource reserves like oil. This leads to currency appreciation which makes other exports less competitive and encourages imports. It originated in the Netherlands in the 1960s when natural gas discovery caused manufacturing decline. Countries can avoid Dutch disease through currency intervention, sovereign wealth funds, economic diversification, and monetary policies like raising banking reserves to decrease credit growth. The appreciation ultimately impacts the balance of payments and other areas of the economy.