Malaria was detected in 6 people working at Frankfurt Airport in Germany. An alarm was raised at the airport after 2 employees died due to “Malaria tropica,” one of the most dangerous types of malaria. Authorities are focusing on the possibility that the disease may have been carried by an infected mosquito.

Two people working at Germany's Frankfurt Airport died due to Malaria tropica (Plasmodium falciparum), one of the most dangerous types of malaria.

A total of 6 employees working at the airport were diagnosed with malaria; the other 4 employees recovered after treatment.

Authorities believe the disease was transmitted by an infected Anopheles mosquito transported by plane to Frankfurt from a malaria-prone region, and mosquito traps have been set up at the airport.

Two people working at Germany's Frankfurt Airport died due to malaria. While it was determined that a total of 6 employees working at the airport contracted “Malaria tropica,” one of the most dangerous types of malaria, authorities believe the disease may have been transmitted by an infected mosquito thought to have arrived in Germany by plane from a malaria-prone region.

6 EMPLOYEES CONTRACT MALARIA

According to a statement from the Frankfurt Health Department, malaria was detected in 6 people working at the airport. The first death occurred at the beginning of July, but the cause of death was determined later. The second employee died in August. The health condition of the other 4 employees was reported to be good after their treatments.

It was stated that none of the affected employees had traveled to countries where malaria is prevalent. Therefore, the cases are believed to be linked to a rare form of transmission called “airport malaria.”

INFECTED MOSQUITO MAY HAVE ARRIVED BY PLANE

German authorities believe the source of the disease is likely an infected Anopheles mosquito transported by plane to Frankfurt from a malaria-prone region.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) states that the mosquito may have arrived in Germany in the cargo or baggage compartment of a plane. It is believed that the infected mosquito may have bitten employees working at or near the airport.

MOSQUITO TRAPS SET UP AT AIRPORT

Mosquito traps have been placed at Frankfurt Airport to identify the potential source of transmission. It was reported that the captured mosquitoes would be examined in a laboratory to investigate their species and possible origins.

“NO RISK OF HUMAN-TO-HUMAN TRANSMISSION”

Peter Tinnemann, Director of the Frankfurt Health Department, stated that human-to-human transmission of the disease is not expected after these cases. Authorities assess the risk for the people of Frankfurt as very low at this stage.

The RKI also states that airport malaria is an extremely rare form of transmission. It was reported that the previous documented case of airport malaria in Germany was also observed at Frankfurt Airport in 2023.

ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS TYPES OF MALARIA

The cases are reported to be linked to malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, also known as Malaria tropica. This type is considered one of the most dangerous forms of malaria due to its potential for severe progression and fatality if left untreated.