US demands details from Russia on Siberian plague lab death

The U.S. has sent a formal diplomatic complaint to Russia demanding more information about the death of a woman at a Siberian anti-plague lab, escalating concerns over a possible pneumonic plague outbreak. The demarche reminds Russia of its obligations under WHO International Health Regulations to share public health data. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said initial Russian information did not warrant alarm but required close monitoring. Russia reported no plague cases in Irkutsk oblast, and WHO assessed general population risk as low. Nearly 200 contacts were placed under observation, though lab tests found no pathogens linked to the deceased worker's duties.