Russia denies plague cases after lab worker’s death; US seeks transparency

Russia denied imposing anti-plague measures after a laboratory technician died of suspected pneumonic plague, drawing international scrutiny and a US demand for transparency. The 28-year-old woman, Darya Shipilova, worked at the Irkutsk Anti-plague Research Institute. Russian health officials said no plague cases were found among contacts, and an autopsy detected no pathogens linked to her work, only COVID-19 and rhinovirus. The WHO said Russia reported no plague cases in Irkutsk, though it was unclear if the death was unrelated to plague. Pneumonic plague, the most contagious form, can be fatal if untreated.