Russia denies plague risk after Siberian lab worker's death; US, WHO seek answers

Russia denied any epidemic risk in Siberia on Wednesday after the death of a lab technician at a plague institute, dismissing media reports as false while the US, WHO, and EU demanded more transparency. The 28-year-old's death has drawn international attention, with Mongolia ordering border surveillance. Russian health agency Rospotrebnadzor said medical monitoring of over 90% of contacts is complete with no infections detected, and the woman was vaccinated with immunity to pathogens she handled. Local media reported she may have contracted pneumonic plague after a test tube broke, though officials attributed her death to pneumonia of undetermined origin. The Kremlin said most media reports were false, while US President Donald Trump said a call with Vladimir Putin on the matter was planned. WHO chief Tedros called for clarification on reports of a second employee with pneumonia, though the WHO assessed risk as low for Russia and very low for Europe.