New malaria, Plasmodium knowlesi from monkeys, 'poses human threat'

[steven johnson]

Plasmodium knowlesi has moved from monkeys to humans and has the ability to reproduce every 24 hours in the blood - meaning infection is potentially deadly. Although the fatality rate was just under 2%, that made Plasmodium knowlesi as deadly as Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Be careful if you travel to SE Asia.

An emerging new form of malaria poses a deadly threat to humans, research has shown.

It had been thought the parasite Plasmodium knowlesi infected only monkeys.

But it has recently been found to be widespread in humans in Malaysia, and the latest study confirms that it can kill if not treated quickly

Although the new form of the disease has so far been concentrated in South East Asia, the researchers warn that tourism to the region could soon see cases appearing in Western countries too.

TNew malaria 'poses human threat'