The Latest Breaking News from WHO

Russian Anti-Plague Lab Worker's Death in Siberia Raises Questions, but WHO Says Public Risk Appears Low

A Russian anti-plague lab worker's death led to quarantines in Irkutsk. Plague is unconfirmed; the WHO sees a low risk, and Rubio urges focus, not alarm.

Medical Daily · Oct 7

Russia pneumonic plague revives fears of COVID-19: What are chances of virulent disease becoming another worldwide pandemic? Read Experts' opinions

Russia pneumonic plague: The woman died at a hospital in Shelekhov, a town just outside the city of Irkutsk, and its mayor said the hospital was placed under quarantine. The top officials from Russia’s national public health watchdog traveled to the region on Friday.

The Economic Times · Oct 7

Trump says will speak with Putin over Russia's reported plague death

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would speak “very soon” with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the reported death from plague of a laboratory technician, as Washington and the World Health Organization pressed Moscow for greater transparency and clarity over conflicting accounts of the incident in Siberia.

France 24 · Oct 6

The big unknowns limiting how US will respond to possible Russian plague outbreak

Secretary of State Marco Rubio calls for greater transparency from Moscow and says US officials are monitoring the situation ‘very closely, hour by hour’

The Independent UK · Oct 6

Russia denies plague death but quarantines hundreds without explanation

Rospotrebnadzor said Darya Shipilova, 28, died of "pneumonia of unknown aetiology" with no links to her work at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute, but imposed quarantine on her contacts, confined 60 colleagues inside the facility and restricted access to hospitals including a maternity ward.

Euronews · Oct 6

EU countries to discuss suspected plague outbreak in Russia

European health authorities are closely following the suspected plague outbreak in Siberia, Russia. The European Commission and member states are set to discuss the matter on Wednesday morning.

Euronews · Oct 6

What do we know about death of anti-plague institute worker in Russia and is there a wider risk?

Russia has denied that Darya Shipilova died from plague after becoming ill at work but experts say there are still questions to answer

The Guardian - UK · Oct 6

What happened inside Russia’s 'plague' lab: Was it a bioweapon leak? Here's what officials revealed about the mystery

Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Pneumonic plague occurs when the infection affects the lungs. It can spread from one person to another through respiratory droplets.

The Economic Times · Oct 6

Plague epidemic risk in Russia low after death of lab technician, WHO says

World Health Organization detects no sign of further outbreak since Darya Shipilova died last week

The Guardian - UK · Oct 6

How Russia and the world are responding to a possible case of pneumonic plague after lab worker dies

The World Health Organization says that a possible case of pneumonic plague in Russia poses a "very low" risk outside the country

The Independent UK · Oct 6