How did malaria reach Frankfurt Airport? Two workers die after rare outbreak

Two Frankfurt Airport workers have died after contracting malaria in a rare outbreak that has infected six employees, raising questions over how malaria-carrying mosquitoes may have entered Germany's busiest airport.

The outbreak, which was first detected in July, is being investigated by the Frankfurt Public Health Department.

German public health officials believe the mosquitoes responsible may have arrived at the airport aboard a plane.

All six infected workers are men employed in different jobs and working in different areas of the airport.

Officials are now examining blood samples to establish whether the cases were caused by a single mosquito or by multiple mosquitoes.

The airport's operator, Fraport, confirmed that an employee had died from the infection. Public health officials later said two of the affected workers had died.

As part of the investigation, mosquito traps have been placed across the airport. The captured insects will be examined in laboratories to determine their species and, potentially, their origin.

'We have provided comprehensive information to all employees and encourage them to consult a doctor if they experience any symptoms,' a Fraport spokesperson told the BBC.

Authorities have sought to reassure residents that the outbreak does not pose a significant threat to the wider population.

In a letter sent to media organisations on Wednesday, Frankfurt public health officials said the risk to people in the city was considered 'very, very low'.

Malaria cannot be transmitted directly from one person to another. It is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes.

Laboratory testing to determine the precise source of the Frankfurt infections is expected to take several weeks, according to public health officials.

The outbreak initially came to light in July, when four infected airport workers were reported.

Germany's Robert Koch Institute said those employees developed symptoms between 4 and 6 July and indicated that the mosquitoes had been brought into the country by plane.

Malaria cases in Germany are overwhelmingly associated with people who have travelled to areas where the disease is endemic. The transmission of malaria within a German airport is therefore considered highly unusual.

The Robert Koch Institute has previously warned that the absence of a travel history can make diagnosis more difficult.

A delay in identifying malaria can increase the risk of the disease developing into a severe form.

Frankfurt Airport also recorded Germany's last known case of airport-acquired malaria in 2023, according to the institute.

Malaria is caused by parasites transmitted by certain mosquitoes and is predominantly found in tropical regions.

The World Health Organization says the disease is both preventable and curable, although its symptoms can range from mild illness to potentially life-threatening complications.

The investigation at Frankfurt Airport remains underway as authorities await laboratory results that could help establish how the infected mosquitoes entered the airport and how the six workers contracted the disease.