EU monitors suspected plague case in Russia

The European Commission is closely monitoring reports of a suspected pneumonic plague case in eastern Russia, following the death of a laboratory worker. The worker, employed at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute, died on Friday from what is believed to be pneumonic plague, a highly contagious form of the disease. Over 200 people have been placed under observation.

European Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova stated that the commission is aware of the reports and is in touch with experts from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control to monitor the situation.

Alexei Tsydenov, head of the neighboring republic of Buryatia, suggested the death could be a case of pneumonic plague. However, Russia’s consumer watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, has not confirmed the exact cause of death, only stating that the employee died from “pneumonia of unknown etiology.”

Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, typically found in small mammals and their fleas. According to the World Health Organization, it is treatable with antibiotics. Pneumonic plague is the most contagious form, capable of spreading between people through respiratory particles, with symptoms appearing within 24 hours of infection. The mortality rate for untreated plague can range from 30% to 100%.