WHO does not confirm plague outbreak in Russia following death of laboratory worker

The World Health Organization (WHO) has not confirmed the presence of a plague outbreak in Russia. This information emerged against the backdrop of the death of an employee of the anti-plague institute in Irkutsk.

Inspection results

According to the organisation, analysis of samples from the deceased woman and individuals who had contact with her revealed no signs of dangerous infections. The WHO emphasised that no cases of plague infection were registered. The statement also highlighted that no evidence of further transmission of the infection related to this case was found.

«ВООЗ не виявила доказів триваючої передачі інфекції, пов’язаної з цим випадком» (The WHO has not found evidence of ongoing transmission of the infection associated with this case), the organisation’s official statement reads.

Cause of death still unknown

Despite the negative test results, the exact cause of the laboratory worker’s death remains undetermined. Previously, Rospotrebnadzor reported that the woman died from pneumonia of undetermined aetiology. This formulation means that the specific cause of the illness was not identified.