A rare malaria outbreak at Frankfurt Airport has resulted in the deaths of two staff members, German health officials have confirmed. The first fatality occurred in early July, though the diagnosis was only confirmed following the patient's death. On Wednesday, the airport operator, Fraport, announced a second death occurring in August.
According to the Frankfurt health office, a total of six employees at the facility were infected with the disease. The four surviving staff members are currently in recovery following medical treatment. Earlier reports from the Robert Koch Institute identified four cases among airport personnel who fell ill between July 4 and July 6.
Authorities suspect that one or more infected Anopheles mosquitoes were transported to the location from a region where malaria is endemic, likely arriving via an aircraft. In response to the cluster of cases, Fraport has installed mosquito traps throughout the airport to capture insects for laboratory examination. Employees have been advised to monitor their health, seek medical care if they experience typical symptoms, and explicitly inform their doctors of their workplace.
The Frankfurt health office characterized this incident as a very rare form of transmission known as "airport malaria," which occurs outside of regions where the disease is typically found. A spokesperson emphasized that human-to-human transmission is not a factor in these cases.
Malaria is spread by infected Anopheles mosquitoes and can be life-threatening if it remains untreated, according to the World Health Organization. Common symptoms associated with the disease include chills, fever, confusion, headaches, seizures, and difficulties with breathing.
