Two employees working at Germany's Frankfurt Airport have died from malaria, broadcaster ARD reported on the 26th local time.

The Frankfurt health authorities stated that six airport workers were infected with malaria, two of whom died in early July and this month, respectively.

All of them were infected with falciparum malaria, which carries a high risk of developing into a severe condition.

The remaining four are undergoing treatment and recovering.

Germany's disease control agency, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), previously confirmed that four airport workers were infected between July 4 and 6.

It was determined that they were bitten by mosquitoes that entered Germany inside the cargo holds of aircraft.

While about 500 malaria cases are reported annually in Germany, nearly all of them involve individuals who contracted the disease after traveling to tropical and subtropical regions where malaria is endemic.

The institute stated that such "airport malaria," transmitted inside aircraft or airports, is an extremely rare form of transmission.

Citing research results, ARD reported that between 1969 and 2024, there were 145 cases of airport malaria in Europe and 9 cases in Germany.

Malaria is a disease transmitted when a mosquito infected with parasites bites a human.

More than 90% of cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa.

While it does not spread through routine human contact, transmission can occur under special circumstances such as blood transfusions, sharing syringes, or from mother to fetus.

Unlike tertian malaria, which is contracted through mosquito bites in South Korea, falciparum malaria can lead to death within 24 hours of infection.

(Photo: Getty Images)