Russia's plague scare: What we know

Last week, a laboratory worker in Siberia died from what appeared to be pneumonic plague, sparking global concerns. Russian media reported that the 28-year-old employee, Darya Shipilova, may have contracted the disease from a broken test tube. Governor Alexei Tsydenov of the Buryatia region initially announced her death from plague but later clarified it could have been possible.

Her town's mayor had the local hospital quarantined, and about 200 people with whom she may have had contact were placed under quarantine. Russian officials, however, downplayed the incident, attributing her death to pneumonia of an undetermined cause. No plague-linked microorganisms were found in her biological samples, and no other staff at the institute sought medical attention.

The World Health Organization, United States, and European Union have called for more transparency regarding the case. Plague is a bacterial disease that can be treated with antibiotics if caught early. The WHO and other organizations have urged Russia for more information to assess the risk to the public.