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Three people have died from malaria after a mosquito was transported aboard a flight to Germany, according to reports.
Several people were rushed to a hospital amid a rare outbreak of the tropical disease following flights to Frankfurt, The Sun reported. It was unclear where the flights departed from.
The third person, a resident of Schwanheim, just north of the airport, died recently. In August, an airport worker also died from the disease. Neither had traveled to a malaria-endemic region.
MEASLES-INFECTED TRAVELER MAY HAVE EXPOSED PASSENGERS AT LAX AND NEARBY HOTEL, HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN
A Lufthansa Airbus A320 sits at Remote Stand V143 at Frankfurt Airport in Kelsterbach, Frankfurt am Main, Hesse. Frankfurt Airport (IATA: FRA, ICAO: EDDF) is Germany’s main international airport by passenger numbers and is operated by Fraport as the main hub for Lufthansa. (Getty Images)
In addition, another German resident was struck with malaria, which can only be contracted from the bite of an infected mosquito and cannot be spread from human to human.
“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,” city officials said.
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The terrifying phenomenon, known as “airport malaria,” occurs when an infected mosquito becomes trapped aboard a plane or inside luggage, is carried to a malaria-free area, and bites someone locally.
A mosquito sucks blood from a human body, close-up. Three people have died after a mosquito became trapped on a plane to Frankfurt, Germany, officials there said. (iStock)
In July, airport officials set traps around the property to contain the malaria outbreak, The Sun reported.
WEST NILE VIRUS DETECTED IN SOUTHERN STATE AS HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN RESIDENTS ABOUT MOSQUITOES
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.
In total, six employees contracted the disease, according to Fraport, the firm that operates Frankfurt Airport, The Express reported.
Florida mosquito-control agencies are increasing surveillance, inspections and spraying as the state reports dozens of locally acquired dengue cases. (iStock)
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“We have provided comprehensive information to all employees and encourage them to consult a doctor if they experience any symptoms,” the firm said.