IF THE rich countries of the northern hemisphere thought they wouldn’t ever have to think about tropical diseases, then they are now getting a conscience call. This week, we report a case of malaria near London’s main airport (see “Jet setting mozzie blamed for malaria case”). And, more serious, the mosquito-borne West Nile virus is spreading faster than ever in the US. The virus had never been seen in North America before 1999, when it killed seven. This year there have already been 11 fatalities, and infections as far north as Maine and Minnesota.
Why are tropical diseases appearing…
