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WHO Probes Suspected Plague In Russia After Lab Worker Dies
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News18•06-10-2026, 08:52
WHO Probes Suspected Plague In Russia After Lab Worker Dies
- •The World Health Organization is communicating with Russian health authorities following the death of a laboratory worker in the Irkutsk region from severe pneumonia.
- •The deceased worker was identified in local reports as 28-year-old laboratory technician Darya Shipilova, who reportedly worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute.
- •WHO stated that all identified contacts of the patient are currently being monitored for illness and none have shown symptoms so far.
- •Russia's public health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, stated that expanded testing did not detect microorganisms associated with her professional activities and the epidemiological situation remains stable.
- •The WHO considers the public health risk to the general population to be low at this time, though risk assessments will be updated as new information emerges.
Key Questions Answered
The WHO opened an investigation after a 28-year-old laboratory technician at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute died of severe pneumonia on October 2 amidst unofficial reports linking her death to a suspected pneumonic plague exposure.
No, according to both the WHO and Russian health authorities, all identified contacts have been placed under medical observation and none of them have developed any symptoms so far.
Russia's public health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, stated that the woman was diagnosed with pneumonia of unknown origin and that expanded testing did not detect microorganisms tied to her professional activities.
