Kathmandu— Two workers at Frankfurt Airport have died after contracting malaria, with four others currently hospitalized and receiving treatment, according to city health authorities. The infections are believed to have originated from an Anopheles mosquito that arrived on a flight, marking a rare instance of locally transmitted malaria in Germany. Officials report the initial case was identified earlier this week, and the death toll rose to two on Wednesday.

Rare Outbreak Confirmed

Malaria cases are uncommon in Germany, with the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) noting that the last airport-linked outbreak occurred in 2023. The RKI has identified an imported Anopheles mosquito as the likely source of the current infections. This rarity presents a challenge for diagnosis, as doctors may not immediately suspect malaria, potentially delaying treatment and increasing the risk of severe illness.

Mosquito Origin Investigation

Airport officials have deployed mosquito traps throughout the Frankfurt hub in an effort to contain the outbreak and identify further potential vectors. The captured mosquitoes will be sent to the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium for genetic testing to determine their precise origin and track how they arrived at the airport.

Malaria Symptoms and Treatment

Malaria is a serious infectious disease caused by parasites transmitted through Anopheles mosquitoes. Common symptoms include nausea, headache, and intense fever with chills. While the disease causes hundreds of thousands of deaths annually—primarily in sub-Saharan Africa—early detection and treatment typically lead to full recovery.

The four remaining infected employees are currently hospitalized and receiving care as authorities continue monitoring the situation and analyzing captured mosquito samples.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.