Russia rules out epidemic risk after plague lab worker’s death

Russian health regulator Rospotrebnadzor has declared there is no epidemic risk in the Irkutsk region of eastern Siberia following the death of a laboratory worker who contracted plague. Medical monitoring and tests on those who had contact with the deceased found no signs of infection or dangerous pathogens. The watchdog also stated it had shared information about the case with the World Health Organization (WHO).

Russian officials have maintained that they have properly informed the WHO about the incident, adhering to established procedures. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized media reports of the situation, accusing them of spreading false information. He urged people to rely on information released by Rospotrebnadzor.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Russia to provide more information about the situation, stating that the available details were quite limited. Peskov responded to Rubio's comments, urging the United States to rely on information from Rospotrebnadzor. The case has drawn comparisons to COVID-19 and earlier disputes over the origins of the virus.