{
  "id": 12641935,
  "title": "Russia plague scare: What is pneumonic plague?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/russia-plague-scare-what-is-pneumonic-plague",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-07T14:04:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times",
    "slug": "the-economic-times",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/us-news-russia-plague-outbreak-fears-grow-after-lab-workers-death-why-pneumonic-plague-is-the-most-dangerous-form-and-how-it-spreads/articleshow/134767990.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A laboratory accident in Siberia has raised concerns about the pneumonic plague in Russia. The 28-year-old researcher Darya Shipilova passed away two days after exhibiting symptoms of the illness. The World Health Organization has requested additional information from Russia regarding the worker's death, as pneumonic plague is the most lethal form and can potentially spread from person to person. Pneumonic plague is a severe lung infection caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium, which is also responsible for the Black Death. Symptoms typically manifest within one to three days after exposure to infected respiratory droplets and include fever, headache, weakness, and rapidly progressing pneumonia. Antibiotics can effectively treat pneumonic plague if administered promptly. The Russian government is collaborating with international health organizations to monitor the situation and prevent further spread.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "28-year-old researcher Darya Shipilova died from pneumonic plague.",
    "WHO seeks more information on the researcher's death in Russia.",
    "Pneumonic plague is highly contagious and treatable with early antibiotics."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}