Frankfurt Airport workers die after malaria infection

Two Frankfurt Airport employees have passed away after contracting malaria in an outbreak originating from infected mosquitos brought into Germany on an aircraft, according to health officials and Fraport, the airport's operator. The first fatality occurred in July, with the cause of death unclear at the time. The second death was reported in August.

Six employees in total were infected, despite none having traveled to a malaria-risk country. Four others are recovering well. Fraport confirmed the latest death on Wednesday and expressed sympathy to the employee's relatives. The first four infections were detected in mid-July. The infections are believed to have been transmitted by an infected Anopheles mosquito imported by an aircraft.

Malaria, a life-threatening disease spread by mosquitoes, causes hundreds of thousands of deaths annually, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease can lead to coma and death, particularly in at-risk groups. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for effective malaria management. Airport malaria cases are extremely rare, having been documented at Frankfurt Airport only once before, in 2023.

Mosquito traps have been installed at the airport, and captured mosquitoes are being analyzed to determine their species and origin. The risk to the Frankfurt population remains negligible. Fraport has advised employees to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms.