Siberia lab worker's death investigated as possible plague; 200 monitored

A 28-year-old laboratory worker died from pneumonia of unknown cause in Siberia's Irkutsk region, prompting investigations into possible plague infection. Nearly 200 people are now under medical observation. The woman worked at an institute researching plague and other dangerous diseases. Russian health authorities have not confirmed local media reports of pneumonic plague, and tests found no microorganisms linked to her work. Officials say the situation is stable. Sweden, Norway, and the United States are monitoring the case. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is expected to discuss it, though experts assess the spread risk to other countries as very low.