Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Imported Mosquito on Plane Linked to Two German Malaria Deaths
Two airport workers in Germany died from malaria.
Malaria is an illness caused by tiny parasites called Plasmodium.
The parasites can be spread by certain mosquitoes.
Officials think an Anopheles mosquito may have entered Germany on an airplane.
This type of mosquito is different from the mosquitoes usually found in Germany.
Airport authorities put up traps to catch mosquitoes.
Scientists will study the captured insects in laboratories.
They want to learn what kind of mosquitoes they are and where they may have come from.
Two airport workers in Germany died after contracting malaria, reportedly following mosquito bites on a plane.
Germany’s Robert Koch Institute said an imported Anopheles mosquito was the likely source of the infections.
Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit Plasmodium parasites, unlike mosquitoes commonly found in Germany.
Airport authorities installed mosquito traps throughout the facility after the infections were identified.
Captured mosquitoes will be examined to determine their species and potentially trace their origin.
- Who
- Two airport workers, Germany’s Robert Koch Institute, and airport authorities.
- What
- Two airport workers died from malaria, with an imported Anopheles mosquito identified as the likely source of infection.
- Where
- At an unspecified airport facility in Germany.
- Why
- Authorities believe an Anopheles mosquito carrying malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites may have arrived aboard an aircraft.
- Deaths
- Two airport workers died of malaria.
- Likely source
- An imported Anopheles mosquito carried aboard an aircraft.
- Disease agent
- Plasmodium parasites cause malaria.
- Investigator
- Germany’s Robert Koch Institute identified the likely source.
- Response
- Airport authorities installed mosquito traps across the facility.
- Laboratory testing
- Captured mosquitoes will be examined to determine their species and potentially their origin.