German airport worker dies of malaria after suspected infected mosquito arrives by plane

A Frankfurt Airport employee has died of malaria after mosquitoes believed to have arrived on a plane triggered a rare outbreak infecting six workers, according to BBC. Airport operator Fraport confirmed the death, saying the remaining five infected staff are receiving treatment while traps installed at the airport capture mosquitoes for laboratory analysis.

Germany’s Robert Koch Institute said four employees initially fell ill between 4 and 6 July, noting malaria transmitted within a German airport is rare and mainly affects long-haul travellers infected abroad. The last such “airport malaria” case occurred in 2023, also at Frankfurt.