German airport worker dies of malaria after ‘mosquito arrives on plane’

BBC:

A Frankfurt Airport worker has 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.

The remaining five infected individuals are receiving medical treatment, a spokesperson for airport operator Fraport said.

Traps have been installed at the airport and mosquitoes captured will be analysed in a laboratory to determine their species and origin.

“Sadly, we must confirm that one employee has died as a result of the infection,” the Fraport spokesperson told the BBC.

“We have provided comprehensive information to all employees and encourage them to consult a doctor if they experience any symptoms.”

It was reported in July that the outbreak involved four infected workers.

The Robert Koch Institute – a German federal government agency and research institute for disease control and public health – previously said the four employees fell ill between 4 and 6 July and the mosquitoes were brought in by plane.