WHO asks Russia for details on second lab worker with pneumonia

The World Health Organization has asked Russian authorities for information about media reports of a second laboratory worker with pneumonia of unknown cause, seeking clarification on the pathogen and the severe illness. Russia’s public health agency stated yesterday that no plague cases were found among contacts of the first lab worker, who died last week at a Siberian anti-plague institute. The WHO requested details to understand the situation. The request follows heightened concern over the initial death and subsequent reports, though Russian officials have not confirmed a second case or identified a specific pathogen.