Frankfurt Airport Malaria Outbreak Claims Third Victim in Two Months

A malaria outbreak around Frankfurt Airport has claimed its third victim in two months, with Frankfurt's health department and the city's university hospital reporting two new infection cases on Thursday.

The two infected individuals are residents of the Schwanheim district in Frankfurt, Hesse, which directly borders the airport. They contracted the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, which causes malaria. According to authorities, neither the deceased nor the hospitalized patient had visited areas endemic to malaria or worked at the airport, heightening concerns about further infections among local residents.

Health Warnings and Recommendations

In light of the third death, health authorities in Hesse have urged medical professionals to consider malaria-adapted treatments for patients with unexplained fevers, even without travel history, paying special attention to those living or working near the airport.

"Malaria is not transmitted from person to person, but only through the bites of infected mosquitoes," emphasized the health ministry, recommending protective measures for area residents.

Airport Investigation and Mosquito Traps

About three weeks ago, six airport workers were reported infected with malaria in July following mosquito bites, with two succumbing to the tropical disease. Authorities suspect tropical mosquitoes arrived via flights and multiplied locally. A similar incident occurred in 2023, though no further cases were recorded until now.

According to an airport spokesperson, planes undergo thorough cleaning upon landing in Germany, but mosquitoes may have arrived in luggage or cargo containers from tropical regions. Trap deployments have been increased, with captured mosquitoes sent to the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium, for testing.