What We Really Know About the Russian ‘Plague’ Case
Even though many questions remain unanswered, the death probably isn’t cause for panic.
A woman who worked at a plague-research facility in Siberia died of pneumonia of an unknown cause, sparking rumors that she may have contracted the plague or triggered an outbreak. Russian officials have been tight-lipped about the specifics, leading to numerous unconfirmed theories. At least 200 people who were in contact with the deceased are under medical observation, though their samples have not tested positive for the plague.
Although plague is endemic in some parts of the world, transmission between humans is difficult and the typical response to a case is not as intense as Russia's has been. Experts believe that the response is likely due to an abundance of caution, and if the woman did have the plague, it is unlikely to have caused a widespread outbreak.
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