Two German airport workers die of malaria after 'mosquito arrives on plane'

Two Frankfurt Airport workers have died of malaria after a rare outbreak led to six employees contracting the serious infection spread by mosquitoes.

It is believed the mosquitoes arrived at Germany's busiest airport on a plane, according to German public health officials, triggering an outbreak which was first detected in July.

A spokesperson for airport operator Fraport told the BBC an employee had died as a result of the infection, while public health officials said later on Wednesday that two of the affected individuals had died.

Traps have been installed at the airport and mosquitoes captured will be analysed in a laboratory to determine their species and origin.

"We have provided comprehensive information to all employees and encourage them to consult a doctor if they experience any symptoms," the Fraport spokesperson told the BBC.

The outbreak is being investigated by the Frankfurt Public Health Department.

The BBC understands that six male airport workers in different jobs and different areas of the airport were infected, and officials are analysing blood samples to determine if they were infected by one mosquito or six different mosquitoes.

Later on Wednesday, public health officials in Frankfurt sent a letter to media outlets which said two of the affected individuals had died.