August 29, 2026
FRANKFURT — Two workers at Germany’s Frankfurt Airport have died after contracting malaria in an unusual outbreak believed to have been caused by an infected mosquito transported into the country aboard an aircraft.
Fraport, the company that operates Frankfurt Airport, said six employees had contracted what is known as airport malaria, with two subsequently dying. The four other workers have recovered, according to German media reports.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of our colleagues, and our thoughts are with their families and friends,” Fraport said.
Airport malaria is an extremely rare form of transmission that occurs when an infected mosquito survives a flight from a malaria-endemic country and subsequently transmits the disease at or near an airport.
