Two Frankfurt Airport workers have died of malaria after a rare outbreak linked to Germany’s busiest airport. Six employees contracted the mosquito-borne disease, which officials believe may have been spread by infected mosquitoes that arrived on a plane.
The outbreak was first detected in July. German public health officials said the risk to the wider population is very low, stressing that malaria does not spread from person to person and is transmitted by mosquitoes.
Mosquito traps have been installed at the airport, and captured insects will be analyzed to determine their species and origin. Officials are also reviewing blood samples to establish whether the workers were infected by one mosquito or several.
While this case appears to be linked to air travel rather than local climate conditions, it highlights how quickly mosquito-borne diseases can cross borders. Rising temperatures, flooding, and changing environments can also make it easier for mosquitoes to spread disease in more places.
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