Third Death Reported in Frankfurt Airport Malaria Cases

Health officials in Germany are investigating a rare malaria cluster linked to Frankfurt Airport after a third person died from the disease, according to reports. The latest victim was a resident of Schwanheim, north of the airport, and had not traveled to a malariaendemic region. Earlier reports said an airport worker also died in August, and another local resident became ill. Authorities said the cases involved Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes one of the most serious forms of malaria. Officials believe the outbreak may be an example of socalled airport malaria, which can occur when an infected mosquito is carried on a plane or in luggage and then bites someone after arrival in a malariafree area. The Robert Koch Institute and airport operator Fraport said workers were infected in early July, and that six employees in total contracted the disease.