Third malaria death reported near Frankfurt's main airport
Frankfurt officials said late last month two airport employees died of malaria and four others had recovered after being infected.
Partner Content
A third person living near Frankfurt Airport has died from malaria, Frankfurt officials said. (Photo Credit: Ronald Wittek/EPA)
Sept. 17 (UPI) -- A third person has died from malaria near Frankfurt's main airport in what German officials have said is a rare air-travel-related outbreak of the disease normally found in tropical areas.
The City of Frankfurt said in a statement Thursday that one of two residents of the Schwanheim district near Frankfurt Airport died in the city's university hospital.
"Both individuals had become infected with the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium falciparum, even though they had not travelled to a malaria-endemic region and had not worked at the airport," the city said.
Frankfurt officials said late last month two airport employees died of malaria and four others had recovered after being infected.
Malaria is spread in humans by mosquitos, but people do not directly infect each other.
Fraport, the operator of Frankfurt Airport, reportedly set up mosquito traps at the airport and was having the captured insects examined.
Employees have been encouraged to seek medical care if they develop symptoms and to inform doctors they work at the airport.
Report a Typo
