Russia Rejects Second Plague Case Reports as WHO Investigates Lab Death
Russia denies a second pneumonic plague case in Siberia following a lab researcher's death as the WHO seeks formal verification from Moscow.
POLICY WIRE — Moscow, Russia — Russian health authorities have formally rejected media reports suggesting a second individual has contracted pneumonic plague in Siberia.
The denial arrives as the World Health Organization presses Moscow for an official response regarding the circumstances surrounding the recent death of a laboratory researcher.
Darya Shipilova, a 28-year-old staff member at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East, passed away on October 2.
Russian officials attributed her death entirely to pneumonia, pushing back against public concern.
📄 POLICY WIRE WHITEPAPER PUBLISHED: PAKISTAN’S NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY PRIORITIES
Speculation regarding a potential outbreak intensified after local authorities in Baikalsk posted a warning on Telegram on October 3.
The messaging cited unofficial reports of a confirmed plague case located in Shelekhov.
On Thursday, the country’s health regulator officially refuted claims that anyone else had fallen ill after coming into contact with the late researcher.
International health officials continue monitoring the situation as the WHO seeks formal clarification from Russian authorities.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
