Plague outbreak in Russia: Pneumonic form most dangerous, says epidemiologist

Epidemiologist Andrii Aleksandrin says a potential plague outbreak in Russia remains unconfirmed, but the pneumonic form is the most dangerous due to human-to-human transmission. He spoke to Radio NV about its spread and progression. Aleksandrin noted the incubation period is one to seven days, averaging two to three days, matching the reported timeline of a lab worker's death. Symptoms include high fever, chills, cough, and shortness of breath, rapidly progressing to respiratory failure, sepsis, or shock. The expert clarified plague is less contagious than measles or COVID-19, requiring close contact for droplet transmission. Around 200 contacts were isolated, though Russian authorities haven't confirmed infection, and US agencies are investigating the circumstances.