Two German airport workers die of malaria after 'mosquito arrives on plane'
Two airport workers in Frankfurt have died following a rare malaria outbreak linked to mosquitoes arriving on aircraft. Health officials are investigating the source, though they maintain the risk to the general public is very low.
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Highlights the intersection of global travel and public health risks, specifically the potential for disease transmission via international transit.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google André Rhoden-Paul and Joe Coughlan Getty Images Frankfurt is Germany's busiest airport Two Frankfurt Airport workers have died of malaria after a rare outbreak led to six employees contracting the serious infection spread by mosquitoes.
It is believed the mosquitoes arrived at Germany's busiest airport on a plane, according to German public health officials, triggering an outbreak which was first detected in July.
A spokesperson for airport operator Fraport told the BBC an employee had died as a result of the infection, while public health officials said later on Wednesday that two of the affected individuals had died.
Traps have been installed at the airport and mosquitoes captured will be analysed in a laboratory to determine their species and origin.
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