Two Frankfurt Airport workers die in rare malaria outbreak

Two employees at Frankfurt Airport have died after contracting malaria in a rare outbreak of so-called "airport malaria," airport operator Fraport and health authorities confirmed. Six workers were infected with malaria tropica, the most dangerous form of the disease, despite not having traveled to a malaria-risk area. Source: CNN Source: The Guardian

The outbreak

The first death occurred in early July, though the cause was only established after the patient died; the second death was in August. Source: SCMP The other four infected employees have been treated in hospital and are recovering well. Source: The Guardian The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) believes the infections were transmitted by an Anopheles mosquito imported on an aircraft, likely in July. Source: DW News The RKI noted that those affected fell ill between July 4 and 6. Source: BBC

Response and investigation

Fraport has installed mosquito traps at the airport, and captured mosquitoes are being genetically analyzed at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium, to determine their species and origin. Source: CNN Employees have been advised to see a doctor if they experience malaria-like symptoms and to inform medics they work at the airport. Source: Euronews Frankfurt's health department has sent letters to all airport workers urging vigilance. Source: The Guardian

Rare but serious

Airport malaria occurs when an infected mosquito is transported on an aircraft or in luggage and infects someone at or near the airport. The RKI describes such cases as "very rare." Source: DW News The last documented case at Frankfurt Airport was in 2023. Source: BBC Because patients may not have traveled to a malaria-endemic area, diagnosis can be delayed, increasing the risk of severe illness. Source: Al Jazeera Peter Tinnemann, head of Frankfurt's health department, said the mosquito is "probably already dead" and the risk to the general population is low. Source: DW News