Germany monitors rare airport malaria outbreak after two deaths

German health authorities are closely monitoring a rare outbreak of malaria linked to Frankfurt Airport, following the deaths of two airport workers. The Frankfurt Public Health Department confirmed six infections in total, describing the situation as "airport malaria" – an uncommon phenomenon where mosquitoes carrying the disease are transported on aircraft.

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The situation is being closely monitored and that it is in regular contact with airport authorities to ensure necessary measures are implemented as early and effectively as possible.

While human-to-human transmission is not a factor in airport malaria, the health department is working with airport officials to implement necessary measures promptly. The two deceased workers fell ill in early July and mid-August, respectively. The four other infected workers have been treated and are no longer in danger.

Mosquito traps have been deployed around the airport, and captured mosquitoes are being analyzed in Belgium. The Robert Koch Institute, Germany's federal health agency, suspects the infections may have originated from an Anopheles stephensi mosquito brought in by plane. Health officials believe the mosquito responsible is likely already dead, but higher temperatures could potentially aid survival.

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The mosquito is probably already dead.

Peter Tinnemann, head of Frankfurt's Health Department, urged the public not to panic, stating that symptoms like headaches or fever do not automatically indicate malaria. However, he stressed the need to review existing measures, such as aircraft disinfection and mosquito breeding ground removal, to ensure their effectiveness. The outbreak is particularly relevant to Nigeria, given Frankfurt Airport's direct flights to the country, which has a high malaria burden.

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Not everyone should assume that just because they have a headache, fever and nonspecific symptoms, they are now infected with malaria because of the case at the airport.