The risk of ‘airport malaria’ in Luxembourg is minimal
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Unsplash
Recent cases of malaria in the vicinity of Frankfurt Airport, which have resulted in the deaths of three people, have raised concerns amongst European health authorities. None of those infected had visited regions where malaria is endemic, suggesting that infected mosquitoes may have been brought in on board aircraft. This phenomenon, known in medical practice as ‘airport malaria’, is extremely rare, but is occasionally recorded in countries where the disease does not occur naturally.
Luxembourg has also faced similar incidents in the past. According to Dr Anne Vergison, head of the Health Inspectorate, local transmission of the infection within the country is theoretically possible. In the late 1990s, five cases of ‘airport malaria’ were recorded in the Grand Duchy. The patients had not travelled abroad but had become infected within the country, specifically in the commune of Canach. Areas around airports carry a slightly higher risk, as invasive mosquito species can survive after a flight and transmit the infection. Nevertheless, to minimise this risk, strict preventive measures are in place at Luxembourg Airport, including the mandatory treatment of all cargo flights with insecticides.
In this regard, Dr Anne Vergison emphasises that the risk of infection to the general public remains extremely low at present and that there is no cause for public concern. However, imported malaria is significantly more common in Luxembourg: around forty cases are recorded each year among people who have contracted the disease abroad. The disease itself can take a severe form and be fatal, whilst its initial symptoms – headache, high temperature and chills – often resemble those of ordinary flu. People travelling to risk areas are advised to contact the CHL in advance to obtain preventive medication. If a fever develops after returning from endemic regions, patients should seek immediate medical attention at a hospital, ensuring they inform doctors of their travel history to ensure a swift and accurate diagnosis.
