Key facts
- WHO seeks clarity on a second pneumonia case in Russia linked to an anti-plague institute.
- A lab worker at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute died on Friday.
- Russian authorities state the situation in the Irkutsk region is stable and deny plague cases.
- The WHO is in contact with Russian health authorities to verify the event and laboratory results.
- The European Commission is monitoring the situation closely.
- U.S. officials are monitoring the situation and have urged Russia to share information.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking more information from Russian authorities regarding a second reported case of pneumonia linked to an anti-plague institute in Irkutsk, Siberia, following the death of a lab worker. Russian authorities maintain that the situation in the Irkutsk region is stable and deny any plague cases.
A 28-year-old employee at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and the Far East fell ill and died on Friday. Alexei Tsydenov, head of the neighboring republic of Buryatia, suggested it could be a case of pneumonic plague. However, Rospotrebnadzor, Russia’s consumer watchdog, has not confirmed the exact cause of death, stating only that the employee died from “pneumonia of unknown etiology.” More than 200 people have been placed under observation following her death.
The European Commission is "very closely" monitoring the situation, with spokesperson Eva Hrncirova stating that the EU is in touch with experts from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control. U.S. officials are also monitoring the situation and have urged Russian authorities to "share accurate information quickly and openly."
A WHO spokesperson confirmed the agency was aware of the reports and was attempting to verify the details, requesting information on the circumstances, laboratory tests, contact tracing, and any potential international public health implications. The spokesperson added that based on unofficial information, the public health risk to the general population appears to be low, but this assessment would be updated.