Two German airport workers die of malaria after ‘mosquito arrives on plane’

Two Frankfurt Airport employees have succumbed to malaria after a rare outbreak led to six workers contracting the serious infection spread by mosquitoes. The outbreak, believed to have arrived at Germany's busiest airport on a plane, was first detected in July. An airport spokesperson confirmed one worker's death, while public health officials later stated that two of the affected individuals had died.

Traps have been set up at the airport, with captured mosquitoes to be analyzed in a laboratory to determine their species and origin. The Fraport spokesperson urged employees to consult doctors if they experience any symptoms.

The outbreak is being investigated by the Frankfurt Public Health Department, with six male employees from different roles and areas of the airport falling ill. Officials are now analyzing blood samples to ascertain whether the infection was caused by one mosquito or six different mosquitoes. Public health officials in Frankfurt recently sent a letter to media outlets reporting that two of the affected individuals had died.

They emphasized that the risk to the Frankfurt population is considered very low, as the disease is not contagious from person to person but is transmitted by mosquitoes. The laboratory tests to determine the source of the infections are not expected to be available for several weeks.

The Robert Koch Institute, a German federal government agency focused on disease control and public health, previously reported that the outbreak involved four infected workers between July 4 and 6. The institute stated that malaria in Germany predominantly affects long-haul travelers who contracted the disease in endemic areas.

They added that airport-transmitted malaria is rare, as the lack of a travel history can lead to a delayed diagnosis, increasing the risk of a severe course of the disease. The last recorded case of airport malaria occurred in 2023, also at Frankfurt Airport. Malaria, spread by certain types of mosquitoes that bite humans and is most common in tropical countries, is caused by a parasite and can range from mild to life-threatening. It is preventable and curable.