3 dead in rare ‘airport malaria’ outbreak linked to one of world’s busiest travel hubs
Authorities described the incident as a rare outbreak linked to an infected mosquito transported aboard an airplane.
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FRANKFURT, Germany - Three people have been killed in a rare "airport malaria" outbreak near a major international travel hub in Germany.
German authorities described the incident as a rare outbreak linked to an infected mosquito transported aboard an airplane, according to our affiliate FOX 32.
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The third victim, a resident of Schwanheim, Germany, died recently, and an airport worker also died after contracting malaria in August. Another German resident also came down with malaria. Neither person had recently traveled to a region where malaria is common, FOX 32 reported.
Mosquito on the skin drinks blood macrophotography. (iiievgeniy / Getty Images)
Officials told FOX 32 that both people became infected with the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Airport officials placed traps around Frankfurt Airport in July as part of an effort to contain the outbreak.
FOX News Digital reported that several people were rushed to the hospital amid a rare malaria outbreak following flights to Frankfurt. It's unclear where the flights departed from.
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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, according to FOX News Digital.
The terrifying phenomenon, known as "airport malaria," happens when an infected mosquito becomes trapped aboard a plane or inside luggage, is carried to a malaria-free area and bites someone locally.
Plasmodium falciparum parasite analysed by light microscope. It's causes of malaria. Medical and health care conceptional image. (Md Ariful Islam / Getty Images)
The disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito and cannot spread from person to person.
While the disease is uncommon in temperate climates, malaria is still common in tropical and subtropical countries. Each year, nearly 290 million people are infected with malaria, and more than 400,000 people die of the disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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The World Health Organization recommends a malaria vaccine for children who live in countries with high numbers of malaria cases.
Protective clothing, bed nets and insecticides can protect you while traveling, health officials said. You also can take preventive medicine before, during and after a trip to a high-risk area.
Aerial view of Frankfurt Airport showing terminals, parked aircraft, runways, and The Squaire building. Clear skies and expansive infrastructure dominate the scene. (FLY-WITH-ME / Getty Images)
The U.S. sees about 2,000 malaria cases a year, and on average, there are nearly seven deaths per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most cases are reported from people recently returning from Africa.
Many malaria parasites have developed resistance to common drugs used to treat the disease. Click here for more information.