US State Department renews 'Do Not Travel' warning for Russia after suspected plague death in Irkutsk

The US State Department reiterated its Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisory for Russia on Tuesday, issuing a health alert amid fears of pneumonic plague following a researcher's death in Irkutsk. The advisory has been in place since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The alert cited press reports of suspected pneumonic plague and quarantine measures in Irkutsk hospitals, noting the US government has limited ability to assist citizens in Russia. It strongly advised Americans in Russia to depart immediately due to wrongful detention and security concerns. Researcher Daria Shipilova died on October 1 after contact with a live bacterium, with 200 contacts quarantined but showing no symptoms. The World Health Organization assessed the risk as very low outside Russia, with no indication of pandemic potential.