Russian lab worker dies in suspected plague case, 200 under observation

A researcher at a Russian anti-plague institute has died from a suspected case of plague, prompting authorities to place nearly 200 people under medical observation.

According to CNBC, the case occurred in Irkutsk, eastern Siberia, and appears to involve pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs and can spread through infectious respiratory particles.

The World Health Organization said the worker died from severe pneumonia on Friday, but laboratory tests are still underway to determine the cause.

“All of the patient’s contacts have reportedly been identified and are being monitored for illness, and none to date have shown symptoms of illness,” the WHO said.

Russian health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor said the employee had been diagnosed with “pneumonia of unknown aetiology,” adding that the situation in Irkutsk and Shelekhov remained “stable.”

The WHO said available unofficial information suggested the risk to the general population remained low, pending further investigation and laboratory confirmation of the suspected infection.