Airport malaria in Germany remains infrequent
Health officials in Germany are investigating a rare cluster of 'airport malaria' cases near Frankfurt Airport. Experts emphasize that the risk to the general public remains extremely low and that the disease is not endemic to the region.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the rare but potential risks of global travel and the accidental transport of disease vectors, though it does not signal a broader public health crisis.
An outbreak of malaria at Frankfurt Airport this summer has raised alarm. Experts believe parasites probably arrived in a passenger's luggage. But with the onset of fall, the risks of contracting the disease are low.
https://p.dw.com/p/5MsNM Malaria is only transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes Photo/dpa/picture alliance Advertisement Eight people are known to have contracted malaria in the vicinity of Frankfurt Airport in central Germany since July; three of them have died . Those affected are mostly employees of the airport operator Fraport.
The Frankfurt Public Health Department believes the outbreak is due to "airport malaria," which occurs when a female Anopheles mosquito carrying the malaria parasite travels by aircraft to a country where the disease is not common from one where it is , bites a person and infects their red blood cells.
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