Possible pneumonic plague case in Russia: What to know and how experts are responding

The World Health Organization reported Tuesday that a possible pneumonic plague case in Russia poses a "very low" risk outside the country, following the death of a lab employee in Siberia last week. Russian authorities are investigating whether the disease caused her death. The woman worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute, which studies plague occurring naturally in local wild animals. Russian officials have traced contacts, conducted lab tests, and found no dangerous pathogens, while WHO has mobilized technical experts to Geneva and Copenhagen. The case has revived memories of the COVID-19 pandemic and lab-safety concerns. U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have commented, urging Russia to share more information. Experts note plague is treatable with antibiotics and does not spread easily.