Two Workers Die After Airport Malaria Cluster at Frankfurt

Two workers have died after a cluster of malaria cases appeared among staff at Frankfurt Airport, prompting officials to investigate mosquitoes at this major German travel hub. Six employees contracted a specific strain known as "airport malaria" while on the job, Fraport, the company running the airport, told Fox News Digital in an official statement. Based on new data from the Frankfurt Health Department, two of those infected workers died because of their infections, Fraport confirmed.

"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of our colleagues, and our thoughts are with their families and friends," the company said in a release. The other four affected employees have recovered, according to Fraport, which noted that its departments are closely monitoring the situation. Malaria is a serious illness caused by a parasite and spreads mostly through the bite of an infected mosquito, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Early signs can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue, the CDC said. The disease can become severe or deadly if doctors do not diagnose and treat it quickly.

"We have provided comprehensive information to all employees and encourage them to consult a doctor if they experience any symptoms," Fraport added. Staff were also told to inform their doctors that they work at the airport and that cases of airport malaria have been reported there, helping ensure proper medical exams and treatment, the company said. Mosquito traps are now installed at the airport, according to the firm. Mosquitoes caught in those traps will undergo genetic analysis by the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium, to determine their species and origin, Fraport stated.

Fox News Digital previously reported on heightened health measures at airports in parts of Asia earlier this year after an outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus in India. The virus can jump between animals and people and causes symptoms ranging from fever to brain infection and death, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Following that outbreak, Thailand introduced monitoring and screening measures at international travel checkpoints, per the country's Department of Disease Control. Travelers showing a high fever or symptoms linked to Nipah could face extra screening and be asked for their travel history, possible exposure details, and when their symptoms began, the department said. Health officials also issued precautions aimed at cutting infection risks, including guidance on food, water, and contact with sick or dead animals. Ashley DiMella of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.