Third death reported from ‘airport malaria’ in Germany

According to Fox News, three people have died in Germany from malaria in a rare phenomenon known as 'airport malaria.' This occurs when an infected mosquito is transported via an aircraft or luggage to a non-endemic area and bites a local resident. Officials stated that the individuals were infected with the Plasmodium falciparum parasite despite having no history of travel to malaria-endemic regions. Among the deceased are an airport worker and a resident of Schwanheim, located near Frankfurt Airport. Germany's Robert Koch Institute reported that a total of six airport employees contracted the disease between July 4 and July 6. Fraport, the operator of Frankfurt Airport, stated that they have provided comprehensive information to staff and encouraged medical consultations for those experiencing symptoms. Malaria is transmitted solely through the bite of an infected mosquito and cannot be spread from human to human.