Lavinia Greenlaw - Five Fever Tales (Omnibus)

Drama by Lavinia Greenlaw about one of the oldest of human diseases.

Based on facts and taking in ancient historical itches and the latest scientific attempts to outwit it.

Malaria has blighted human life in parts of the world for as long as humans have been humans. The mosquito, the parasite it carries, and the human bloodstream are evolving together. In many places the parasite still has the upper hand.

The disease caused by a parasite carried in the saliva of female mosquitoes came to humans probably from gorillas a long time ago.

Through recorded history the fever-prompting disease has shadowed humans almost everywhere warm enough for mosquitoes to live between the Poles. We have evolved together. It is still the biggest killer of children in parts of the world.

Omnibus of five parts.

Made with the research assistance of Wellcome Trust.
Medical/science adviser: Julian Rayner, Sanger Institute.
Music and sound design: Jon Nicholls

Narrator: Siobhan Redmond.

Other parts:

Russell Boulter
Richard Bremmer
David Collins
Jasmine Hyde
John Mackay

Producer: Tim Dee

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2014.