Russia Says No Plague Outbreak Risk After Lab Worker Death; WHO Seeks More Data

Russian health authorities said Thursday there is no risk of an infectious disease outbreak following the death of a worker at a plague research institute in Siberia, while the WHO is requesting more information. Russia's consumer rights watchdog said it is scaling back preventive measures in the Irkutsk region, with medical monitoring of over 90% of contacts complete and no dangerous pathogens detected. The deceased was a female laboratory technician at the Irkutsk Plague Control Institute, whose cause of death had sparked international concern and speculation in recent days. Local authorities had implemented infectious disease measures at Irkutsk hospitals, though some residents questioned the transparency of official disclosures. WHO Director-General Tedros said a full risk assessment is not yet possible, emphasizing that timely, complete, and transparent information sharing under international rules is essential to clarify conflicting reports and accurately evaluate potential public health risks.