Frankfurt Airport workers die after malaria infection

At least two employees at Frankfurt Airport have died from malaria, believed to have been transmitted by infected mosquitos carried onto the airport via an aircraft, according to local health officials and Fraport, the airport's operator. The first fatality occurred in July, with the second fatality reported in August. This is a rare outbreak of "airport malaria," with six employees infected despite not having traveled to a malaria-prone country.

Four of the infected employees are currently recovering. The remaining four workers have been advised to seek medical attention if they exhibit symptoms. The outbreak stems from an infected Anopheles mosquito imported by an aircraft, as reported by Germany's Robert Koch Institute. The disease, typically contracted while traveling abroad, has rarely occurred within Germany, with the last documented infection at Frankfurt Airport in 2023.

Mosquito traps have been installed at the airport, and genetic analysis of captured mosquitoes is underway to determine their species and origin. Fraport has expressed deep sympathy to the affected employees' families and informed airport personnel to seek medical care if they develop symptoms.