A THIRD person has died of malaria after a single mosquito was reportedly trapped on a plane to Germany.
Several people were rushed to hospital following the rare outbreak of the tropical disease aboard a flight to Frankfurt.
Mosquitos can transmit malaria by biting the skin Credit: Getty
The parasite reportedly travelled into Germany’s busiest transport hub Credit: Getty
Traps were set up around Germany‘s busiest transport hub in July as officials desperately tried to contain the outbreak.
But in August, one airport worker tragically died of the disease.
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Now, an infected resident of Schwanheim, north of the airport, has passed away in hospital, city officials revealed on Thursday.
Shockingly, the victim was not an airport employee nor had they travelled to a malaria-riddled region.
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Another resident of the area has also been struck down with malaria.
A statement from city officials confirmed: “Both individuals had become infected with the malaria-causing parasite, even though they had not travelled to a malaria-endemic region and had not worked at the airport”.
The terrifying phenomenon is known as “airport malaria” – and can strike anyone who comes into contact with the infected insect.
Parasites can be stowed away on flights from malaria regions – and then escape to bite people on the other side.
Malaria can only be contracted from the bite of an infected mosquito and cannot be spread human to human.
The disease can cause fever, chills and debilitating headaches.
Infections can even become life-threatening if they remain untreated, according to the World Health Organisation.
But public health officials said: “For the population of Frankfurt, the risk is considered very, very low.
Four employees were previously reported to have fallen ill with malaria between July 4 and 6.
News of the first infections was reported on July 16, with officials saying the employees were likely bitten earlier in the week.
An airport spokesperson said the victims worked in the airport’s baggage handling section.
It is unclear from where the plane had been flying.
Between 1969 and 2024, 145 cases were reported – including nine in Germany.
The last known case of malaria at Frankfurt Airport happened in 2023.
