Pneumonic Plague Scare in Siberia: 200 Monitored After Russian Worker's Death

Around 200 employees at a Russian anti-plague institute are under medical observation after a 27-year-old colleague died from severe pneumonia, prompting concerns about a possible pneumonic plague case in Irkutsk, Siberia. Russian health authorities say extensive testing found no evidence of plague or other microorganisms linked to the woman's professional activities, and she was diagnosed with pneumonia of unknown etiology. All identified contacts show no signs of illness and have tested negative. Pneumonic plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, is the most severe form of plague, infecting the lungs and spreading person-to-person via respiratory droplets. Neighboring countries have raised border alerts, while the Kremlin urges the public to rely on official statements.