Siberian plague rumor sparks distrust as Russia denies epidemic risk

A suspected plague death in Siberia has triggered global concern and local panic, with Russian authorities denying any epidemic risk while residents express deep distrust of official statements. The woman, 28-year-old Daria Chipilova, worked at a plague research institute in Irkutsk and died last week in Chelekhov hospital. Russia's health agency attributed her death to pneumonia of "undetermined origin," while the US, EU, and WHO demanded greater transparency from Moscow. Local residents report widespread rumors and confusion, including false claims of multiple deaths and a fictional disease. The WHO has called for clarity on reports of a second affected employee, while Russia dismissed such information as false and confirmed nearly 5,000 tests showed no dangerous pathogens.