World News
German health authorities investigate fatal malaria outbreak linked to Frankfurt airport
Two airport workers have died and four others were infected, likely due to a mosquito imported on a flight.
The short version
- Six people working at Frankfurt airport contracted malaria tropica since last month, resulting in two deaths.
- The Robert Koch Institute suspects the infections were transmitted by an imported Anopheles stephensi mosquito.
- Health officials have placed mosquito traps around the airport and urged local doctors to monitor workers for unexplained fevers.
- The risk to the general public remains low, as human-to-human transmission of malaria is not possible.
Key facts
- Six airport workers in Frankfurt contracted malaria tropica since last month, leading to two fatalities.[The Guardian]
- The four surviving workers infected in the outbreak were treated in the hospital and are no longer in danger.[The Guardian]
- The Robert Koch Institute stated that the infections were likely caused by an Anopheles stephensi mosquito transported via an incoming aircraft.[The Guardian]
- Airport operator Fraport installed mosquito traps around the facility, sending captured specimens to a laboratory in Antwerp for testing.[The Guardian]
- Frankfurt health department head Peter Tinnemann stated that the risk to the broader local population is low.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- Investigators have not confirmed the exact flight or origin of the imported mosquito, though health officials noted the responsible insect is likely already dead.[The Guardian]
Sources
- Officials urge calm after malaria outbreak kills two staff at Frankfurt airportThe Guardian - World