Frankfurt Airport Malaria Outbreak Kills 2 Workers as 4 More Remain Hospitalized
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Aug 28
Frankfurt Airport Malaria Outbreak Kills 2 Workers as 4 More Remain Hospitalized
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Aug 28
Summary
Frankfurt health authorities said two airport workers died after contracting malaria from a mosquito believed to have arrived on an aircraft, while four other infected employees are being treated in hospital.
The Robert Koch Institute said an imported Anopheles mosquito was the likely source, making this a rare case of "airport malaria" rather than the travel-linked infections Germany usually sees.
Mosquito traps have been installed across the airport, and captured insects will be tested to identify their species and origin; parasite samples are also being analyzed in Antwerp, with results expected in several weeks.
Germany's last airport-based malaria outbreak was in 2023, and officials said the risk to Frankfurt residents is very low because malaria is spread by mosquitoes, not from person to person.