She detected the bluff and said, gently, "Many mosquitoes exist in species complexes; that is, two or more species may look identical, but some can transmit malaria and some can't. We're trying to figure out what makes a mosquito a good vector."

I wished her speed, and asked if she had ever had malaria. She shuddered an affirmative and then she said, "Don't even ask about monkey malaria."

Apparently there is a creepy new malaria that is affecting monkeys and, for the first time, loggers, in Southeast Asia. She does not think it will cross over to North America. I am relieved.

Read the full article: http://www.thestar.com/article/462606