WHO Chief says Russia reports no plague cases in Irkutsk after lab workers death, no high-threat pathogens among contacts

The worker died on October 2 after being hospitalised with severe pneumonia. Initial media reports had suggested pneumonic plague following an alleged accidental laboratory exposure.

“In response to WHO’s verification request under the International Health Regulations, the Russian health authorities reported that no case of plague had recently been registered in Irkutsk oblast,” Tedros said in the statement.

WHO said it has remained in contact with Russian health authorities and offered technical support while requesting further information to establish the cause of the severe pneumonia and identify the pathogen that prompted the public health measures.

The agency also sought clarification on media reports of a second employee who was said to have pneumonia of undetermined cause.

“WHO has remained in contact with the Russian health authorities and has offered technical support. WHO has requested further information to clarify the cause of the severe pneumonia, the pathogen that prompted the public health measures, and media reports of a second employee with pneumonia of undetermined cause,” the statement added.

According to Euronews, citing Russia’s national health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, tests of biological material from Daria Shipilova, a 28-year-old laboratory assistant at the Irkutsk anti-plague institute, found no microorganisms associated with her work.

The watchdog also said no accidents involving pathogenic microorganisms had been detected at the institute.

Shipilova died on October 2 after developing severe pneumonia.

Earlier reports citing unnamed sources close to regional security services had raised concerns that she may have contracted pneumonic plague after a test tube broke in the laboratory, according to Euronews.

WHO said the reported incident underscores the need for timely information sharing to assess any potential public health risks.

“Timely, complete and transparent information sharing under the International Health Regulations is essential to clarify conflicting reports and enable an accurate assessment of potential public health risks,” Tedros said.

Plague is a bacterial disease with several forms, with pneumonic plague being the most contagious form, according to WHO. It can spread between people and can be fatal without early antibiotic treatment.

Russia has recorded isolated plague cases since 2014, most involving transmission from rodents during skinning, and has contained them successfully. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)