GENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed that a potential case of pneumonic plague in Russia poses a "very low" risk to other countries as investigations continue into the death of a lab employee last week. The U.N. health agency announced on Tuesday that it has been in contact with Russian authorities regarding the death of a woman who worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia and the Far East.
The case has drawn parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing discussions about the origins of the coronavirus. WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier stated there is currently no indication that the situation resembles the pandemic.
The incubation period for pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs and is the most severe form of the disease, can be as short as 24 hours. It is less common than bubonic plague, which is transmitted through flea bites and can develop into open sores. Pneumonic plague can spread between individuals through respiratory particles and, if untreated, can be fatal; however, recovery rates are high if diagnosed and treated promptly.
Symptoms of pneumonic plague include shortness of breath and coughing, often with blood. In contrast, pneumonia, a common respiratory infection, is primarily caused by viruses or bacteria and is spread through contact with infected individuals or airborne droplets. According to WHO, pneumonia is the leading infectious cause of death in children globally.
Russian health officials reported that a comprehensive range of preventive measures has been implemented, including contact tracing and medical monitoring of individuals who interacted with the deceased. They stated that laboratory tests showed no presence of dangerous infectious disease pathogens among the contacts. Medical monitoring for all contacts has concluded, and the epidemiological situation is stable.
The woman died in a hospital in Shelekhov, near Irkutsk, which has since been placed under quarantine. Russian public health officials have traveled to the region to oversee the situation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov advised the public to rely on official statements from the health watchdog agency, Rospotrebnadzor, rather than speculation.
Lindmeier noted that the research institute where the woman worked studies dangerous pathogens, including plague, in a region where the disease occurs naturally in wildlife. He added that Russian authorities have not requested WHO experts to assist in the investigation.
Russian officials later informed WHO that no cases of plague have been recorded in Irkutsk. Lindmeier explained that the woman's illness initially appeared as a typical acute respiratory viral infection, and no cases of plague or other high-threat pathogens have been identified.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed concern over the situation and indicated that the United States is willing to assist, although he has not communicated directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In response, Peskov remarked that mutual assistance is welcomed but did not provide further details.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Russian authorities to share more information, emphasizing the need for transparency regarding the situation.
Experts, including Ian Jones, a virology professor, and Dr. Glenn Wortmann from MedStar Washington Hospital Center, indicated that while plague has a significant history and is still present in various regions, modern living conditions and antibiotics limit its potential spread. Wortmann noted that pneumonic plague requires close contact for transmission and is unlikely to spread widely in Russia or reach the U.S. due to its transmission characteristics and available treatments.