Pneumonic Plague: What the Possible Case in Russia Means for U.S. Response
(MedPage Today) -- The death of a Russian laboratory employee from severe pneumonia has brought pneumonic plague back into the headlines. The case deserves careful investigation. However, plague has not been confirmed, and the available information...
The World Health Organization (WHO) has requested more information from Russia regarding a suspected pneumonic plague case involving a lab worker in Siberia. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's director of Epidemic and Pandemic Management, expressed uncertainty about the cause of the worker's death, which occurred on October 2. Russian health authorities have not linked the case to pneumonic plague, instead stating that the worker contracted pneumonia of unknown origin after working at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute.
The lab, which focuses on plague research, has maintained secrecy around the incident, leading to global concerns. Russian state-controlled media has largely refrained from reporting on the case, while some outlets have withdrawn earlier reports. The WHO has called for timely and regular updates from Russia, noting that the lab worker's contacts have been quarantined and monitored.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed doubt about the incident being a potential bioweapon development, stating that Russia was not forthcoming with information.
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