Anopheles mosquitoes carrying malaria may stowaway on an airplane. They can emerge within the plane, in an airport or from baggage to infect anyone nearby. Several cases have been documented around the world.
Cases tend to occur at international airports where incoming flights come from countries with malaria.
Infected people may have been exposed:
(1) while on a plane
(2) at an airport ("airport malaria") or if they live nearby
(3) when a traveler's luggage is opened ("baggage malaria")
The risk of infection can be reduced if the airplane is disinsected (see Chapter 26) but mosquitoes may be present in carry-on luggage.
It is important to exclude other exposures before making the diagnosis.
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