Two Frankfurt Airport Workers Die from Malaria After Mosquito Infection

Two airport workers at Frankfurt Airport have died after contracting malaria from a mosquito believed to have arrived on an incoming flight, as reported by the city's health authority. Initially, airport officials reported one death among six infected employees, but the toll increased to two on Wednesday. Germany's Robert Koch Institute (RKI) identified an imported Anopheles mosquito, likely transported by an aircraft, as the probable source of the infection. Malaria cases are uncommon in Germany, with the RKI noting that the last airport-linked malaria outbreak occurred in 2023. The RKI indicated that the rarity of malaria in Germany may hinder timely diagnosis, as doctors may not immediately suspect the disease, which can lead to delays in treatment and increased risks of severe illness. Four remaining infected employees are currently receiving treatment in the hospital. An airport spokesman confirmed that mosquito traps have been installed at the airport, and captured mosquitoes will be sent to the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium for genetic testing to determine their origin. Malaria is a serious infectious disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, caused by microscopic parasites, leading to symptoms such as nausea, headache, and severe fever and chills. The disease results in hundreds of thousands of deaths annually, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. Early detection and treatment can lead to complete recovery for infected patients.