FRANKFURT, Germany — August 27, 2026 — Two workers at Frankfurt Airport have died after contracting malaria in a rare outbreak that German health authorities believe may have been caused by an infected mosquito arriving on an aircraft.
The deaths have prompted an investigation at Germany’s busiest airport, where six workers have been infected.
Authorities hunt for the mosquito
Health officials believe an infected Anopheles mosquito may have entered Germany aboard a plane from a region where malaria is common. The phenomenon, known as “airport malaria,” is extremely rare in Germany.
Investigators have installed mosquito traps around Frankfurt Airport. Any mosquitoes captured will be examined in laboratories, including genetic analysis, to determine their species and potentially trace where they originated.
The investigation is intended to establish whether one mosquito was responsible for the infections or whether multiple insects may have been brought into the airport.
No evidence of human-to-human spread
Airport operator Fraport has said there is currently no evidence that the malaria cases were transmitted directly from person to person. Malaria is normally spread through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.
Fraport has informed employees about the situation and urged anyone experiencing possible symptoms to seek medical attention.
Malaria can cause fever, chills, headaches, fatigue and other serious symptoms, and some forms of the disease can become life-threatening without prompt treatment.
A rare occurrence in Germany
Malaria is not normally transmitted locally in Germany. Most cases recorded in the country are associated with people who have travelled to malaria-endemic regions.
However, airport malaria has occurred before. Frankfurt was also linked to a case in 2023, highlighting the unusual possibility of disease-carrying mosquitoes surviving international flights and reaching people …
Authorities say the current risk to the wider public remains low, but surveillance at the airport is continuing as scientists work to identify the mosquito species and determine its origin.
The investigation remains ongoing, with health officials closely monitoring the airport and the condition of the remaining infected workers.
