The first cases became known in July, when several airport employees were diagnosed with malaria despite having no known travel history to malaria-endemic regions. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the first four confirmed patients developed symptoms between July 4 and July 6. The RKI said at the time that the infections were believed to have been caused by an infected Anopheles mosquito imported by aircraft.
The first of the two deaths occurred in early July. According to the Frankfurt Health Department, however, the cause of death was only identified after the person had died. Fraport spokesman Andreas Schopf expressed his condolences to the family.
„Unser tiefstes Mitgefühl gilt den Angehörigen des Verstorbenen. Die weiteren betroffenen Beschäftigten befinden sich in medizinischer Behandlung.“
A second employee died in August. The Frankfurt Health Department subsequently confirmed that two of the six people infected in connection with the airport had died from the disease. The authority has not released personal details about the deceased, including their age, gender or possible pre-existing medical conditions.
The suspected source: an infected mosquito
Authorities believe the infections were most likely caused by an infected Anopheles mosquito that was brought to Germany on an aircraft from a malaria-endemic region. This type of infection is known as airport malaria and is considered extremely rare in Germany.
The exact route by which the mosquito may have entered the airport has not yet been established. Possible routes include an aircraft or transported goods, but investigations remain ongoing.
To help identify a possible source, mosquito traps have been installed at Frankfurt Airport. Mosquitoes caught in the traps are being examined in a specialised tropical medicine laboratory. The Frankfurt Health Department is also carrying out mosquito monitoring at the airport and is working closely with Fraport. In addition, genetic analysis of the malaria parasites are being conducted to determine whether the individual infections are connected.
Four employees discharged from hospital
The four other infected employees initially received medical treatment. According to the Frankfurt Health Department, all four have now been discharged from hospital.
Fraport has also taken steps to raise awareness among airport employees. Staff members are being advised to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms that could indicate malaria and to tell doctors that they work at Frankfurt Airport. An information letter has also been sent to holders of airport employee identification cards.
Malaria is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, particularly mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus. There is no ordinary person-to-person transmission of malaria in everyday contact. According to the Frankfurt Health Department, an infected mosquito can transmit the parasite when it feeds on human blood.
No increased risk for the general population
Despite the two deaths, the Frankfurt Health Department currently sees no increased health risk for the general population. The authority describes airport malaria as a very rare event associated with infected mosquitoes being imported into airports through connections with malaria-endemic regions.
The investigation into the six cases is continuing. Health authorities, the airport operator and specialised laboratories are working to determine how the infections occurred and whether the individual cases are genetically connected. For now, however, the exact source of the infected mosquito has not been conclusively identified.
