Pneumonic plague in Russia: What to know and how spread is tracked

U.S. officials are closely monitoring reports that a 28-year-old lab technician in Russia may have died of pneumonic plague, a severe and potentially fatal form of the infectious disease caused by Yersinia pestis bacteria. The technician worked at the Irkutsk Antiplague Research Institute in Siberia, and her death followed a pneumonia diagnosis of "unknown" origin. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Russian officials shared information about the case, noting limited U.S.-Russia travel but warning the disease could spread quickly if it gets out. Pneumonic plague is the most virulent form of plague, spreading person-to-person via respiratory particles and often fatal if untreated, though early antibiotic treatment yields high recovery rates. Russian authorities are expected to report a confirmed case to the World Health Organization, but transparency concerns remain.