Infectious Diseases: A Plague on Both Houses

War and disease have always been fellow travelers. U.S. troops in Viet Nam are fighting malaria as well as the human enemy. But now, according to a report jointly issued by the U.S. Army Medical Research Team in Viet Nam and the Institut Pasteur of Saigon, another killer is mounting a virulent attack. Bubonic plague, the Black Death that slaughtered a third of Western Europe during the 14th century, has suddenly started claiming casualties by the thousands. In 1961, only eight cases were reported in South Viet Nam. Last year some 4,500 cases were recognized, and there were upwards...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!