A major investigation is underway in the United Kingdom to ascertain how a British Airways steward working on a long-haul flight from London Heathrow to Accra died after contracting malaria in Ghana.

This comes six years after a cabin crew member died from malaria while working on a BA flight from Heathrow to Ghana.

The deceased who has not been named, began to show signs of the disease while staying at a hotel with other crew members, according to the UK media.

In a statement, the airline said “we were deeply saddened to hear of the death of our colleague. The safety of our colleagues and customers is our top priority.

“Cabin crews are given top strength repellent and fully briefed every time they fly into a malarial area in order to give them the best protection.

Medication is available to those who wish to use it either before they fly or when they are at their destination. We check our hotels and transportation to minimize the chance of contact with mosquitoes”, it added.

A major internal investigation is already underway to figure out exactly how she contracted the illness.

About 2000 Britons are said to return to the UK every year having contracted malaria.

Reports in the UK media suggest there are concerns about cabin crew and flight crew members flying to Ghana after the incident.