Two workers at Frankfurt Airport in Germany have died from malaria after a rare outbreak infected six employees.
German public health authorities believe mosquitoes may have entered the country on board an aircraft and caused the outbreak, which was first detected in July.
The Frankfurt Public Health Department is investigating the cases, while mosquito traps have been placed around the airport. Captured mosquitoes will be examined to determine their species and possible origin.
According to the BBC, the six affected workers are men who worked in different roles and areas of the airport.
Health officials are also examining their blood samples to determine whether they were infected by the same mosquito or by different mosquitoes.
Laboratory tests to establish the source of the infections are expected to take several weeks.
The airport operator, Fraport, initially confirmed that one employee had died from the infection.
Public health officials later confirmed that a second affected worker had also died.
Airport authorities said employees had been informed about the outbreak and advised to seek medical attention if they developed symptoms.
The Robert Koch Institute, Germany’s federal disease control and public health agency, had earlier reported that four airport workers became ill between July 4 and 6.
The institute said airport-acquired malaria was rare in Germany, where most cases occur among people who have travelled to countries where the disease is common.
It noted that the absence of a travel history could delay diagnosis and increase the risk of severe illness.
The latest outbreak is not the first case of airport-acquired malaria in Germany. A similar case was recorded at Frankfurt Airport in 2023.
Malaria is caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. It is common in tropical regions but can cause serious or life-threatening illness if not treated promptly.
