Volunteer takes on mosquito bites for malaria drug trial

Mosquito bites are the only way humans can contract malaria, one of the world's oldest and deadliest diseases.

While it can be treated, there are no vaccines to prevent infection. But the first clinical trial for a vaccine against the most widespread strain, Plasmodium vivax is now under way at the Walter Reed Army Institute for Research.

Volunteers are given varying doses of a protein that stimulates their immune system and are then bitten by infected mosquitoes to see if the inoculation works.

Scientists say it will be at least another week before they have conclusive results. Nick van Gorden is one of the 33 volunteers taking part in the trial.