Third person dies from malaria in cluster near Germany’s Frankfurt Airport | Health News
Frankfurt Faces Unusual Malaria Outbreak Linked to Air Travel, Three Fatalities Reported
FRANKFURT, Germany — A third person has died from malaria as German officials grapple with a rare outbreak associated with Frankfurt Airport, marking an unprecedented situation involving air travel and the tropical disease.
In a statement released Thursday, city officials confirmed that the latest victim was hospitalized in Frankfurt and was one of two residents from the Schwanheim district near the airport who had contracted malaria. The two new cases were reported earlier this week.
The individuals were infected with the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, the most severe form of malaria, despite neither having traveled to areas where malaria is endemic nor working at the airport, according to the city’s public health department. Investigators believe the infections were likely caused by mosquitoes that arrived in Germany via aircraft or luggage.
In July, six workers at Frankfurt Airport contracted malaria, with two fatalities occurring subsequently. Malaria, a mosquito-borne illness, is considered potentially life-threatening but is exceptionally rare in Germany.
The disease is transmitted through certain types of mosquitoes, and it cannot be spread directly from person to person. In response to the outbreak, Frankfurt Airport operator Fraport has implemented mosquito traps and sent specimens to a laboratory in Antwerp, Belgium, though results from these tests have yet to be released.
Health authorities have advised local physicians to consider malaria as a potential diagnosis for patients arriving with fever-like symptoms. Residents and airport personnel are encouraged to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, confusion, seizures, or difficulty breathing.
A spokesperson for the airport stated that local public health authorities hold the authority to mandate the disinfection of aircraft if deemed necessary.
