Frankfurt malaria outbreak results in three deaths

A malaria outbreak in Frankfurt, Germany, has resulted in three deaths. The most recent fatality occurred on September 17, following two reported infections in the Schwanheim district on September 15, one of which was also fatal.

Authorities suspect the disease was transmitted by an infected mosquito that arrived in Frankfurt via an aircraft. This follows a separate cluster in July involving six airport employees, two of whom died. Notably, the recent victims in Schwanheim had neither traveled to malaria-endemic regions nor worked at the airport.

In response, the Schwanheim health department distributed 5,000 leaflets to inform residents about symptoms such as high fever, chills, headache, joint pain, and extreme weakness. Health officials are advising the use of mosquito nets, repellents, and long-sleeved clothing. While the current risk of new infections is assessed as low, officials warn that the possibility of further cases remains. They also noted that mortality rates can be high in Germany because malaria is not immediately suspected when patients present with fever, unlike in endemic regions.