Global Health Crisis Fears as Malaria Parasite in Southeast Asia Develops Drug Resistance

Scientists are warning that the most effective drug used to treat malaria is becoming ineffective in parts of Southeast Asia – and unless rapid action is taken, it could lead to a global health emergency. Writing in the Lancet journal, researchers from Thailand’s Mahidol University and Britain’s Oxford University say parasites that carry malaria are developing resistance to a key drug combination across multiple regions of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Henry Ridgwell reports.