Russia tells WHO no plague cases in Siberian city after lab worker's death

Russian authorities told the World Health Organisation on Tuesday that no plague cases have been recorded in Irkutsk, Siberia, following the death of a laboratory worker at a plague research institute last week. The WHO spokesperson read out the official response at a Geneva press briefing. Moscow, responding within the required 24-hour window, stated that contacts of Daria Shipilova have been identified and tests for dangerous infectious pathogens came back negative. The WHO had previously been investigating whether pneumonic plague caused the 28-year-old's death. Reuters could not immediately confirm whether Shipilova herself was tested or if plague was ruled out in her case. The Russian diplomatic mission did not respond to a request for comment, while the WHO has said the risk to the general population appears low.