Two employees have died after a cluster of malaria cases emerged among workers at Frankfurt Airport. Six employees contracted a form of the disease, known as "airport malaria," in connection with their work at the airport, Fraport, the company that operates Frankfurt Airport, confirmed. The other four affected workers have recovered.
Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite and is most commonly spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Early symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. The disease can become severe or deadly if it is not diagnosed and treated quickly.
Fraport stated that it has provided comprehensive information to all employees and encourages them to consult a doctor if they experience any symptoms. Employees were also advised to inform their doctors that they work at the airport and that cases of airport malaria have been reported there. The company is closely monitoring the situation.
Mosquito traps have been installed at the airport, and mosquitoes caught will undergo genetic analysis by the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium, to determine their species and origin. Earlier this year, heightened health measures were implemented at airports in parts of Asia following an outbreak of the Nipah virus in India. Following that outbreak, Thailand introduced monitoring and screening measures at international travel checkpoints.