German airport worker dies of malaria after ‘mosquito arrives on plane’

A Frankfurt Airport employee has passed away from malaria following a rare outbreak that affected six workers. German health authorities suspect the mosquitoes that transmitted the infection originated from a plane. Five surviving employees are currently undergoing medical treatment, according to Fraport, the airport operator. The operator installed traps at the airport and will analyze captured mosquitoes to identify their species and origin.

"Regrettably, we confirm that one employee has died due to the infection," the Fraport spokesperson informed the BBC. The operator has informed all employees to seek medical advice if they experience symptoms. The outbreak initially involved four infected workers reported in July. The Robert Koch Institute, a German federal government agency specializing in disease control and public health, stated that the four workers contracted malaria between July 4 and 6, with the mosquitoes likely brought onto the plane.

Malaria is uncommon within German airports, as it typically affects travelers who contracted the disease in endemic regions. The last instance of airport malaria was also at Frankfurt Airport in 2023. The BBC has reached out to the Frankfurt Public Health Department for further details. Malaria, transmitted by specific mosquitoes, is primarily found in tropical countries.

The disease, caused by a parasite and transmissible through mosquito bites, can range from mild to life-threatening. While preventable and curable, delayed diagnosis due to the absence of a travel history can result in severe consequences.