Russia lab worker dies of 'severe pneumonia', sparking plague scare; dozens quarantined: What we know so far
The World Health Organisation said it was aware of reports that a laboratory worker in Irkutsk Oblast, in the Russian Federation, died of ‘severe pneumonia.’
A laboratory worker in Siberia, Russia, who studies plague-causing bacteria, has died of severe pneumonia, sparking concerns about a potential plague outbreak. Dozens have been placed under quarantine as a precaution, with sections of the hospital where she died sealed off. However, Russian authorities have dismissed claims that she may have accidentally released the bacteria, stating no evidence of such an incident.
The World Health Organization is in contact with Russian health officials to verify the circumstances of her death and assess any potential public health implications. Plague outbreaks are rare in Russia, but the region is known for its endemic status due to the presence of Yersinia pestis among wild mammals and fleas.
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