Two staff members at Frankfurt Airport in Germany have died from malaria after contracting the disease at the site, according to German health officials.
Details of the outbreak
The two employees, whose identities have not been disclosed, were infected with the mosquito-borne disease while working at the airport. The cases were confirmed as malaria, a parasitic infection transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
German health authorities have not specified when the infections occurred or the exact locations within the airport where the workers may have been exposed.
Response and investigation
Officials have launched an investigation into the outbreak and are working to identify any potential sources of mosquito breeding at the facility. Measures are being taken to prevent further infections among airport staff.
Frankfurt Airport is one of Europe's busiest aviation hubs, handling millions of passengers annually. Malaria is not typically endemic in Germany, and cases are usually linked to travel to tropical regions, making the local transmission at the airport notable.
The deaths have raised concerns about the potential for mosquito-borne diseases in non-endemic areas, particularly at international transport hubs. Health officials continue to monitor the situation and have urged airport employees to report any symptoms consistent with malaria, such as fever, chills, and flu-like illness.
