Two workers at Frankfurt Airport in Germany have died from malaria following a rare outbreak that has infected six employees at the country’s busiest airport.
The outbreak was first detected in July, with health authorities investigating the possibility that infected mosquitoes may have entered Germany aboard an aircraft.
A spokesperson for airport operator Fraport initially confirmed the death of one employee, while Frankfurt’s Public Health Department later announced that two of the affected workers had died.
The six infected workers are all men who worked in different roles and areas of the airport. Authorities are currently examining blood samples to determine whether the infections may have been caused by a single mosquito or multiple mosquitoes.
Mosquito traps have been installed throughout the airport, with captured insects being sent to laboratories to determine their species and possible origin.
Fraport said it has provided information to employees about the outbreak and urged anyone experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention.
“We have provided comprehensive information to all employees and encourage them to consult a doctor if they experience any symptoms,” a Fraport spokesperson said.
The Frankfurt Public Health Department is leading the investigation, while laboratory tests to determine the exact source of the infections are expected to take several weeks.
Despite the deaths, authorities stressed that the risk to the wider population remains extremely low.
“For the population of Frankfurt, the risk is considered very, very low. The disease is not transmissible from person to person but is always transmitted by mosquitoes,” Frankfurt public health officials said in a statement to the media.
No Recent Travel History
The outbreak initially came to light in July after four airport employees were diagnosed with malaria.
According to Germany’s Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the four workers became ill between July 4 and 6 and had no recent history of travelling to malaria-endemic countries.
The absence of recent travel has strengthened the theory that the mosquitoes responsible may have been transported into Germany aboard an aircraft.
Malaria cases in Germany are typically associated with people who have travelled to regions where the disease is common. The RKI said transmission within a German airport is extremely rare.
The institute also warned that the unusual circumstances could lead to delayed diagnosis because malaria may not initially be suspected in people who have not travelled abroad.
“The lack of a travel history can lead to a delayed diagnosis. A delayed diagnosis increases the risk of a severe course of the diseases,” the RKI said in its epidemiological bulletin.
The institute noted that the last recorded case of airport-transmitted malaria in Germany occurred at Frankfurt Airport in 2023.
What Is Malaria?
Malaria is a disease caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. It is predominantly found in tropical and subtropical regions.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria is both preventable and curable, although infections can range from mild illness to severe, potentially life-threatening disease.
Authorities are continuing investigations at Frankfurt Airport to identify the mosquito species involved and determine how the infections occurred.