Siberian Lab Worker Dies of Suspected Plague; Officials Deny Leak

A laboratory technician in Siberia has died amid suspected plague exposure, though Russian authorities deny any lab accident occurred. Officials state she died of pneumonia, with no microorganisms linked to her work found in her samples. The woman died Friday in Shelekhov near Irkutsk. Rospotrebnadzor reported no lab incident, contradicting unconfirmed reports of a dropped plague vial or infection from a business trip. Local media noted travel warnings were briefly issued and retracted, with up to 200 contacts under medical observation. Several Irkutsk clinics were reportedly quarantined, though authorities call the situation stable. Pneumonic plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, is treatable with early antibiotics. Experts downplay broader risks, noting known contacts and modern living conditions limit spread.