Key facts
- Pneumonic plague is a serious lung infection and the most virulent form of plague.
- It can spread between humans through coughing infected droplets into the air.
- Untreated pneumonic plague is nearly always fatal, but responds well to early antibiotic treatment.
- The WHO is seeking information from Russia after a worker at a Siberian plague research laboratory died.
- Initial tests on individuals who came into contact with the deceased researcher were negative for pneumonic plague.
The World Health Organization has requested additional information from Russia regarding the death of a worker at a plague research laboratory in Siberia. While the exact cause of illness is under investigation, initial reports have fueled speculation. Russian officials have stated that individuals who had contact with the deceased researcher tested negative for pneumonic plague.
Pneumonic plague is characterized as a severe lung infection and the most virulent form of the plague, which is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It can develop from other forms of plague, such as bubonic and septicaemic plague. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing up blood. While less common than bubonic plague, it is considered more serious.
Globally, between 1,000 to 3,000 cases of all plague types occur annually, with most being bubonic plague concentrated in central Africa, but also present in Russia, India, China, and the United States. The bacterium Yersinia pestis remains endemic in animal reservoirs worldwide, with sporadic human cases continuing to occur.
Plague is typically transmitted through the bite of an infected flea or handling an infected animal. However, pneumonic plague can spread from person to person through airborne droplets from coughing, usually requiring close contact. It is believed to have been the primary form of plague during the 14th-century Black Death outbreak.
Experts emphasize the importance of studying diseases like plague for diagnostics, vaccine development, and surveillance of antibiotic resistance. Pneumonic plague has a short incubation period, sometimes as little as 24 hours. If not diagnosed and treated promptly, it is often fatal. However, it responds well to antibiotics if treatment begins early. Post-exposure prophylaxis with antibiotics and quarantine may be offered to those with high-risk exposure.
In the specific Russian case, authorities have stated that tests showed no microorganisms associated with the patient's professional activities, leaving the cause of death unclear at this stage. US President Donald Trump indicated that Washington is closely monitoring the situation, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated there is no cause for alarm. The UK's Health and Safety Authority is seeking more information but assesses the risk to Britain as very low.