Plague cases and deaths worldwide, 2019-2025

The World Health Organization reported Wednesday that it lacks a full picture of the recent death of a Russian lab worker from suspected pneumonic plague, stating the current risk to the public appears low. The death has triggered quarantine of hundreds of contacts and global concern. The 28-year-old worker, identified as Darya Shipilova, died October 2 after being hospitalized September 29 in Shelekhov, Russia. Russia told WHO no plague case was reported, but placed about 200 contacts under quarantine. WHO noted Russia should have reported the incident within 24 hours under international law. From 2019 to 2025, 10 countries reported nearly 4,000 suspected plague cases and 423 deaths. Pneumonic plague is the only form spreading person-to-person, with a reproduction number of 1.1 to 1.3. The last US death from pneumonic plague occurred in July 2025 in Arizona.