US Monitors Suspected Plague Case in Russia After Lab Worker Dies
A 28-year-old lab worker, Darya Shipilova, died of pneumonia in Irkutsk, raising concerns about possible pneumonic plague. Russian authorities have denied implementing special anti-plague measures, stating that general public health precautions were taken. The World Health Organization has assessed the public health risk as low for Russia and very low for Europe, while monitoring the situation. Contact tracing and laboratory tests have been conducted, revealing no pathogens linked to infectious diseases, although two cases of COVID-19 were found among contacts. Approximately 60% of those under precautionary quarantine have been released. Shipilova worked at a facility studying plague, and her death has drawn international attention, prompting calls for transparency from US officials.
Published 21 hours ago • 06 Oct 2026, 09:22 AM IST