Russia Plague Lab Case: WHO Seeks Answers Over Reports of Second Worker With Pneumonia
The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked Russia for more information over reports that a second laboratory worker developed pneumonia of undetermined cause, as questions continue over the death of a worker at a Siberian anti-plague research institute.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked Russia for more information over reports that a second laboratory worker developed pneumonia of undetermined cause, as questions continue over the death of a worker at a Siberian anti-plague research institute. Russian authorities have said there is no risk of an epidemic and that testing has found no evidence of plague among people who came into contact with the deceased worker.
WHO Seeks Clarification
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the organisation had requested additional information from Russian authorities to establish the cause of the severe pneumonia and identify the pathogen, if any, responsible.
The WHO is also seeking clarification over media reports of a second employee with pneumonia of undetermined origin. Tedros said timely and transparent information sharing was necessary to assess potential public health risks. Suspected Pneumonic Plague in Siberia: What You Know.
Russian Worker Died After Severe Pneumonia
The case centres on Darya Shipilova, a 28-year-old laboratory worker at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia. Russian media reported that she was hospitalised with severe pneumonia and died on October 2.
Authorities quarantined around 200 people who had contact with her as a precaution. Russian officials have not linked her death to plague or her work at the institute. Pneumonic Plague: Symptoms, Fatality Rate and Treatment After Darya Shipilova’s Death in Russia.
Russia's health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, said nearly 5,000 laboratory tests had failed to identify dangerous pathogens among those who had been in contact with Shipilova. It said around 90% of those initially placed under quarantine had been released.
No Confirmed Plague Cases
Russian health authorities have said no cases of plague were detected among Shipilova's contacts. They have also said there is currently no risk of an epidemic in the region.
The exact cause of Shipilova's pneumonia, however, remains unclear. Pneumonia can be caused by a range of bacterial and viral infections, including influenza and COVID-19, while plague can also cause severe respiratory illness in some circumstances.
There is currently no confirmed evidence that Shipilova died from plague.
Kremlin Rejects Media Reports
The Kremlin has pushed back against reports surrounding the case. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said much of the media coverage was based on false information and urged people to rely on statements from Russia's health regulator.
Reports about a second case have also not been independently substantiated. Some claims circulating on social media remain unverified.
International Concern
The incident has attracted international attention because of the worker's employment at a facility specialising in plague research and the uncertainty surrounding the cause of her death.
The WHO's request for additional information comes as authorities continue investigating the circumstances of the case.
For now, there is no confirmed evidence of a plague outbreak linked to the Siberian laboratory worker. The main unanswered questions remain the exact cause of her pneumonia and whether the reported second laboratory case is genuine.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 07, 2026 10:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
