Three people have died of malaria in Germany after an infected mosquito was apparently transported on a flight to Frankfurt, reports say.
Several others were taken to the hospital during the unusual outbreak of the tropical disease linked to flights arriving at Frankfurt Airport, The Sun reported.
It was not immediately known where the affected flights originated.
The latest victim was a Schwanheim resident who lived just north of Frankfurt Airport and died recently. An airport employee also died from malaria in August. Neither person had traveled to an area where malaria is endemic.
A Lufthansa Airbus A320 is parked at Remote Stand V143 at Frankfurt Airport in Kelsterbach, Frankfurt am Main, Hesse. Frankfurt Airport, operated by Fraport and serving as Lufthansa’s main hub, is Germany’s busiest international airport by passenger traffic. (Getty Images)
Another German resident was also diagnosed with malaria. The illness is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito and cannot spread directly from one person to another.
“Both individuals had become infected with the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium falciparum, even though they had not traveled to a malaria-endemic region and had not worked at the airport,” city officials said.
The rare event is known as “airport malaria.” It can occur when an infected mosquito is trapped on an aircraft or in luggage, carried into a malaria-free region and then bites someone after arriving.
MORE STORY: Mother and Two Small Children Discovered Deceased at Their North Carolina Residence – NewsFinale
Three people have died after an infected mosquito was believed to have traveled on a plane to Frankfurt, Germany, officials said. (iStock)
Frankfurt Airport officials set mosquito traps around the facility in July as part of efforts to contain the malaria outbreak, The Sun reported.
Germany’s Robert Koch Institute, the agency responsible for disease control and public health, said airport workers became ill after contracting malaria between July 4 and July 6.
In total, six employees contracted the disease, according to Fraport, the firm that operates Frankfurt Airport, The Express reported.
Airport workers became sick with malaria between July 4 and July 6. (iStock)
“We have provided comprehensive information to all employees and encourage them to consult a doctor if they experience any symptoms,” the firm said.