A third person has died from malaria in a rare outbreak linked to the area around Frankfurt Airport, according to German health officials. The latest victim lived in the nearby Schwanheim district and had not traveled to a region where malaria is commonly found.
The outbreak has raised concerns because health officials believe the infections may have started with an infected mosquito that arrived on an aircraft or in luggage from a malaria-endemic area. This unusual form of transmission is known as “airport malaria.”
Two airport workers had already died from malaria in July and August. Several other people were infected, including airport employees who had no recent travel history to malaria-risk countries. Two new cases were also reported among residents living near the airport, including the person who later died.
Malaria is caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. It does not spread directly from person to person. The disease can become life-threatening and may cause symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, confusion and breathing difficulties.
Authorities have placed mosquito traps around the airport and are examining captured insects to determine their species and possible origin. Health officials have also urged doctors in the area to consider malaria when treating patients with unexplained fever, particularly those who live or work near the airport.
Experts describe airport malaria as extremely rare. Germany normally sees malaria cases among people who became infected while traveling abroad, making this cluster particularly unusual.