Siberian plague risk to Malaysia remains very low, experts say

Russia has ruled out a plague after a Siberian research lab worker died of unknown pneumonia, easing concerns, though experts say transmission risk to Malaysia remains very low. Dr Malina Osman of Universiti Putra Malaysia called the case isolated, citing continuous border surveillance by the Health Ministry. The illness stems from Yersinia pestis bacteria, transmitted by mites on rodents, with symptoms including fever and pneumonia. Russian authorities confirmed pneumonia as the cause of death, with no linked cases detected. WHO and CDC protocols exist for local response, though infected individuals typically become sick too quickly to travel.