Russia Withholds Details on Siberian Lab Worker's Death Amid Plague Concerns

Russian authorities are withholding details about the October 2 death of a Siberian lab worker, with unconfirmed reports suggesting pneumonic plague as the cause, while global concern mounts over the lack of transparency. Russia's health watchdog says the 28-year-old researcher died of pneumonia of unknown origin, and extensive testing found no pathogens from her work at an anti-plague institute. Authorities have quarantined a hospital and are monitoring her contacts, while Moscow has informed the WHO that no plague case is registered in the region. President Trump said he would discuss the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though the Kremlin says no call is scheduled yet. The WHO has requested further information, and Russian state media have largely avoided the subject, with some outlets withdrawing earlier reports.