Two workers at a German airport have reportedly died from malaria after being bitten by mosquitoes that are believed to have arrived on an aircraft from a malaria-endemic region.
The incident has raised concerns about the rare phenomenon known as “airport malaria”, in which infected mosquitoes are transported by aircraft from countries where malaria is common to areas where the disease does not normally circulate.
Health authorities are investigating the cases and assessing whether other people may have been exposed. Malaria is caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes and can become life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Officials are also examining the aircraft and airport environment to determine how the mosquitoes entered the country and whether additional measures are needed to prevent similar incidents.