As of 18 September 2026, eight cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria have been reported among people working at or living in the vicinity of Frankfurt international airport. Six cases occurred among airport workers. Five of these cases developed symptoms in early July and one in mid-August. Two additional cases were subsequently reported among residents of different households living within 5 km of the airport, who developed symptoms in early September. None reported travel to a malaria-endemic area. Three of the eight affected individuals have died, including one of the two residents living near the airport.
The cases are consistent with airport-associated malaria. Multiple introductions of infectious mosquitoes are considered likely, while the possible involvement of local Anopheles mosquitoes cannot be excluded. Investigations are ongoing to clarify the circumstances of transmission and possible links between the cases.
The risk to the general population remains very low.
Clinicians: healthcare professionals should consider malaria in people with unexplained fever and a possible connection to Frankfurt airport or its vicinity, even if they have not travelled to a malaria-endemic area.
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