Two Frankfurt Airport workers die of malaria after rare mosquito outbreak linked to aircraft

Two employees at Frankfurt Airport have died after contracting malaria, with four others hospitalized following a rare outbreak linked to infected mosquitoes believed to have arrived on a plane, according to German health officials and the airport operator Fraport.
A Fraport spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday that one employee had died from the infection, adding that comprehensive information had been provided to staff, who were urged to seek medical attention if symptoms appeared. The first death occurred in early July, while the second was reported in August, Frankfurt’s public health department said. The remaining four infected individuals are receiving treatment.
Authorities suspect the mosquitoes, which carry the malaria parasite, were transported to Germany’s busiest airport aboard an aircraft from a malaria-endemic region, likely in July. The Robert Koch Institute, Germany’s federal disease control agency, previously stated that four employees fell ill between July 4 and 6, with the mosquitoes introduced via flight. Mosquito traps have since been installed at the airport, and captured insects are being analyzed in laboratories to determine their species and origin, Fraport said.
Frankfurt’s health department described the risk to the general population as “very, very low,” emphasizing that malaria is not transmissible between humans but only through mosquito bites. In a letter to media outlets on Wednesday, officials noted that laboratory results to pinpoint the source of the infections may take several weeks.
The outbreak involves six male airport workers in different roles and areas of the facility, the BBC reported. Blood samples are being examined to determine whether a single mosquito or multiple insects caused the infections. The Robert Koch Institute has classified such cases of “airport malaria” as extremely rare in Germany, with the last recorded instance at Frankfurt Airport in 2023.
Malaria, primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions, can be life-threatening, with symptoms including fever, headaches, breathing difficulties, and seizures, according to the World Health Organization. The German Foreign Office warned that the disease can lead to coma and death, particularly among high-risk groups. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical, as the illness is generally curable with prompt medical care.
Fraport has launched an internal information campaign, advising employees to inform doctors of their workplace if they exhibit symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, or confusion. The company has also coordinated with tropical medicine facilities, including Frankfurt University Hospital, to rule out infections.
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