Tuesday August 4, 2009, 9:26 am
"By looking at blood samples, a US team discovered all world strains of the human malaria parasite falciparum stem from a malaria parasite in chimps.

They tell Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences how the species shift probably happened 10,000 years ago when humans turned to agriculture.

Man's encroachment upon the natural forest habitat of chimps is blamed.

It brought the two species into close contact and the deforestation created pools of stagnant water and other conditions favourable for mosquito breeding.

"Today, human encroachment into the last forest habitats has further extended, leading to a higher risk of transfer of new pathogens, including new malaria parasites," the researchers warn."

Read more at site..