Possible pneumonic plague case: What to know and how experts are responding

A possible case of pneumonic plague in Russia is currently under investigation with experts assessing the risk both locally and globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the risk of the disease spreading outside the country is very low. The woman who died was a lab employee at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia, and her death has raised concerns reminiscent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pneumonic plague is a severe and highly contagious form of the disease, with an incubation period as short as 24 hours, making it particularly dangerous. Symptoms include shortness of breath and coughing, sometimes with blood-tinged phlegm. If left untreated, the illness can be fatal; however, recovery rates are high when treatment is initiated within 24 hours of symptom onset.

To manage the situation, Russian health officials have implemented a range of preventive measures, including tracking the contacts of the deceased woman, monitoring her medical condition, and conducting laboratory tests. All contacts have tested negative for infectious diseases, and an epidemiological investigation is ongoing. No risk to Canada has been identified by the Public Health Agency of Canada, which is closely monitoring the situation.

Health experts emphasize that while plague can be deadly, the risk of widespread infection is minimal due to the difficulty of transmission and the availability of antibiotics. Russian authorities have stated that they are investigating the cause of death and have not requested WHO assistance at this time. U.S. officials have expressed concern and offered assistance, but have not yet engaged directly with Russian health officials.