The World Health Organization has assessed the public health risk as low after a laboratory worker died at a plague research institute in Russia’s Siberian region. The WHO said authorities have found no confirmed plague cases in Irkutsk, where the 28-year-old worker was employed.
Russian authorities told the WHO that they had identified people who came into contact with the deceased worker. Moreover, tests among those contacts found no dangerous infectious pathogens, while officials continue investigating the cause of her death.
WHO Monitors Possible Pneumonic Plague Case
The worker, identified by Russian media as Darya Shipilova, died after developing pneumonia of unknown origin. Authorities are investigating whether pneumonic plague caused her illness, although they have not officially confirmed the disease as her cause of death.
The case raised concerns because Shipilova worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute, which studies dangerous pathogens. However, Russian health officials said they found no evidence of an accident involving dangerous microorganisms at the facility.
Officials Continue Monitoring Contacts
WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said authorities had identified and monitored all known contacts of the deceased worker. So far, none of those people have developed symptoms, while testing continues as officials seek more information about the incident.
The WHO currently considers the risk moderate to low in Irkutsk, low across Russia and very low in the European region. Therefore, the agency does not currently see evidence of a wider international health threat.
Meanwhile, WHO remains in contact with Russian health authorities to verify laboratory results and assess any potential international implications. Officials will update the risk assessment if new evidence emerges from the investigation.
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