German health officials are in full reassurance mode after two workers at Frankfurt airport, the country's biggest, died of malaria. Because nothing says 'relax' like mosquito traps and a monitoring process at your local airport.

Since last month, six people have contracted malaria tropica - the most dangerous form of the disease - in connection with their work at the airport. Two have died: one started showing symptoms in early July, the other in mid-August. The other four infected have been treated in hospital and are now out of danger, according to Frankfurt's public health department.

Officials have sent letters to all airport workers, urging vigilance and awareness of symptoms. Doctors are being told to watch out for patients with unexplained fever who work in or around the airport. Because nothing says 'diagnostic challenge' like a disease that presents as a fever with no obvious source.

The health department's website acknowledges the existence of 'airport malaria', where mosquitoes from malaria-endemic areas hitch a ride in flight cabins or baggage holds. It's a 'very rare occurrence', which means it's easily overlooked, leading to delayed diagnosis and a higher risk of death. But hey, at least human-to-human transmission isn't possible - small mercies.

The Robert Koch Institute, Germany's disease control and prevention agency, believes the culprit was an Anopheles stephensi mosquito imported by plane. Fraport, the airport operator, has set up traps and caught some mosquitoes, which are now being examined in a tropical medicine lab in Antwerp, Belgium. Nothing like a cross-border mosquito investigation.

Peter Tinnemann, head of Frankfurt's health department, told Hessische Rundfunk: 'The mosquito is probably already dead.' Reassuring, if not entirely conclusive. He noted that warmer temperatures in Germany increase the chances of mosquitoes surviving longer, but the risk to the general population is low. 'Not everyone should assume that just because they have a headache, fever and nonspecific symptoms they are now infected with malaria because of the case at the airport,' he added. Sound advice, but try telling that to the hypochondriac in all of us.

Still, the rise in cases has prompted a review of existing measures, including aircraft disinfection and removal of breeding grounds. A study of airport and baggage malaria in Europe from 1969 to 2024 found 145 instances, nine in Germany. The last outbreak at Frankfurt was in 2023, with a single infection successfully treated.

About 90% of all malaria cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Countries with direct flights to Frankfurt from that region include Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania - all high-risk. Namibia and South Africa also have direct flights but are moderate to low risk. So, if you're flying into Frankfurt from certain destinations, maybe pack some insect repellent.