Frankfurt Airport workers die after malaria infection

Key Points:

• At least two Frankfurt Airport employees have died from malaria in a rare outbreak believed to be caused by infected mosquitoes brought into Germany on aircraft, with six employees infected despite not traveling to malaria-risk countries.
• The first death occurred in July and the second in August, while the other four infected employees are recovering well, according to Frankfurt health officials and airport operator Fraport.
• The infections are attributed to airport malaria, a rare phenomenon where infected mosquitoes are transported via aircraft and transmit the disease locally, with the last documented case at Frankfurt Airport occurring in 2023.
• Mosquito traps have been installed at the airport, and captured mosquitoes are being genetically analyzed to determine their species and origin; health authorities have stated the risk of person-to-person spread and to the general public is negligible.
• Fraport has informed airport employees about the outbreak and advised them to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms, emphasizing the importance of early treatment for malaria.