Third Person Dies of Malaria Linked to Frankfurt Airport
A third individual has died from malaria in Germany, with officials suspecting the infection originated from a mosquito that likely entered the country on an aircraft at Frankfurt Airport.
A third person has died from malaria after an infected mosquito is believed to have been transported on a plane to Germany.
The victim, who resided in Schwanheim, a district north of Frankfurt Airport, passed away in hospital. Authorities confirmed the individual was neither an airport employee nor had they recently traveled to a malaria-endemic region.
This death follows two previous fatalities in August involving Frankfurt Airport workers who also contracted malaria. Two new cases were reported in the Schwanheim area earlier this week, with city officials stating that these individuals were infected despite not traveling to affected regions or working at the airport.
The Robert Koch Institute, Germany's federal agency for disease control and public health, has identified an imported Anopheles mosquito, likely carried by an aircraft, as the probable cause of this rare outbreak. Mosquito traps have been deployed around Frankfurt Airport in an effort to contain the situation.
Airport malaria, also referred to as suitcase or Odyssean malaria, occurs when an infected mosquito is transported to a malaria-free area via aircraft or luggage and subsequently infects a person. The Robert Koch Institute reported that the airport employees contracted the disease between July 4 and July 6.
Airport operator Fraport confirmed that a total of six employees had contracted airport malaria in connection with their work. The company stated that it had provided comprehensive information to all staff and encouraged them to seek medical attention if they experienced any symptoms.
Symptoms of malaria can include high temperature, sweats, chills, headaches, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and muscle pain. The disease was eradicated in Western Europe in the 1970s, and most cases since then have involved travelers returning from countries where malaria is prevalent. However, in regions where it is endemic, malaria remains a significant global health threat, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. While treatments are available, early diagnosis is crucial for a full recovery.