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

Two Frankfurt Airport employees have tragically passed away from malaria following a rare outbreak that resulted in six workers contracting the severe illness spread by mosquitoes. The disease, typically found in tropical regions, was believed to have been introduced via a plane at Germany's busiest airport. The outbreak was first identified in July, and an airport operator spokesperson confirmed one worker had died while public health officials later stated two of the affected individuals had succumbed to the infection.

Traps have been installed at the airport, and captured mosquitoes will be analyzed in a lab to determine their species and origin. All employees have been informed about the outbreak, and encouraged to seek medical attention if they experience any symptoms. The Frankfurt Public Health Department is investigating the incident, and officials are analyzing blood samples to ascertain whether the infected workers were exposed to one mosquito or multiple mosquitoes.

The risk to the Frankfurt population is considered very low, as the disease is not transmissible between individuals but is always transmitted by mosquitoes. Public health authorities maintain that the source of the infections is not expected to be determined for several weeks. While the Robert Koch Institute reported the initial four infected workers fell ill between July 4 and 6, it emphasized that malaria in Germany primarily affects long-haul travelers who have contracted the disease in endemic areas.

A lack of travel history can lead to a delayed diagnosis, increasing the risk of a severe course of the disease. The last case of airport malaria occurred in 2023 at Frankfurt Airport.