Two Die in Malaria Outbreak at Frankfurt Airport
Is Frankfurt responding effectively or could more be done to protect airport staff?
Above: 'A female Anopheles quadrimaculatus mosquito rests on human skin. Image credit: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Frankfurt must remain calm; airport malaria is a rare incident, not contagious and poses negligible public risk. Smart prevention, symptom alerts and mosquito traps are working effectively to contain and address this event.
Narrative B
These fatalities illustrate the danger of complacency at major travel hubs. A single imported mosquito can turn deadly fast, and speedier malaria testing for airport workers is a basic duty given that there have been cases of this consistently over recent decades. More can be done by authorities to protect staff.