"Malaria Outbreak Strikes Major European Airport After One Mosquito Hitsched a Ride on a Flight, Infecting Four Workers"

FOUR airport workers have been struck down with malaria after a single mosquito stowed away on a flight – sparking fears of a major outbreak.

Baggage handlers at Frankfurt Airport contracted the deadly disease while working at one of ‘s busiest travel hubs.

Four cases of malaria have been reported at Frankfurt airport Credit: Newsflash The victims all reportedly worked in baggage handling Credit: Newsflash

The culprit – a lone mosquito – is believed to have snuck onto an inbound flight without a ticket.

of the 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.

Officials say the tropical disease was probably transmitted by a mosquito that bypassed border control.

An urgent warning has been issued to staff members Credit: Newsflash This is not the first time malaria has been reported at the busy airport Credit: Newsflash

The exact origin of the flight it arrived on remains unclear.

An urgent warning has since been issued to staff to closely monitor themselves for any sudden increases in body temperature.

Ground crew members were also told to contact authorities immediately if they developed any fever symptoms.

Workers were also told to specifically mention “airport malaria” to doctors.

The spokesperson assured that extensive safety measures were in place to guard against the spread of diseases.

However, it is impossible to rule out freak incidences of individual mosquitos hiding aboard aircraft, they added.

This extraordinary phenomenon is known as “airport malaria”.

This refers to a rare form of infection affecting those who have never visited malaria regions.

After the flight lands, insects can leave the aircraft and infect people nearby.

Between 1969 and 2024, 145 cases have been reported – including nine in Germany.

Malaria is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito after they have picked up the parasite from another person.

The disease can cause fever, chills and debilitating headaches.

Infections can even become life-threatening if they remain untreated, according to the .

This is not the first time Frankfurt Airport has reported cases of malaria, with another infection reported in 2023.

An investigation is ongoing to determine the exact circumstances of the outbreak.

In the meantime, authorities said there was no increased risk for passengers or local residents based on current information.