WHO seeks clarity from Russia over lab death linked to plague fears
The World Health Organization (WHO) told Kursiv Uzbekistan that the public health risk appears low following a laboratory worker’s death in Russia’s Irkutsk region. It is seeking answers from Russian authorities, with the cause of death still unconfirmed.
The worker reportedly died of severe pneumonia on 2 October. In its statement, WHO said laboratory testing was underway and all identified contacts were being monitored, with none reportedly showing symptoms.
«Based on unofficial information available, the public health risk to the general population appears to be low,» WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier told Kursiv Uzbekistan. The official added that it would update its assessment as more information became available.
Read more: Google and Yandex searches for ‘plague’ explode in Russia amid zero patient fears
What WHO wants to establish in Irkutsk
The agency has been asking Russian authorities to verify the circumstances of the death, the laboratory tests it is conducting, and their results.
«WHO is in contact with the Russian health authorities to verify the event, its circumstances, the laboratory tests underway, and their results, the rationale for contact-tracing and the health status of contacts, as well as any potential international public health implication,» Lindmeier said.
The official explained the WHO was pursuing these enquiries under Articles 9 and 10 of the International Health Regulations and had offered assistance to Russian authorities if needed.
Read more: White House puts suspected Russian plague outbreak on watchlist
The death has drawn attention because the worker was employed at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute. Tests have found no microorganisms connected with her work, and investigators have found no laboratory accident involving pathogens, said Russia’s health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor.
WHO’s statement does not confirm either a plague or a laboratory leak. Its low-risk assessment remains preliminary: the outstanding questions are what caused the fatal illness and whether anyone else was exposed.
Read more: From Black Death to Russian lab: How lethal (and curable) is plague?
