Central Asian nations tighten border checks after Russian lab plague death

Central Asian nations are tightening border health checks and epidemic controls following the death of a Russian lab technician from a possible plague exposure in Siberia. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan have introduced thermal imaging and screening at border points and airports for travelers from Russia, while Uzbekistan raised its alert level. No further plague cases have been confirmed. The technician, Daria Shipilova, died Oct. 1 after breaking a test tube containing Yersinia pestis on Sept. 25. Russian authorities face accusations of a news blackout, with state media deleting related posts.