WHO confirms no plague cases in Siberia after lab worker's death

The World Health Organization confirmed Wednesday that Russian authorities have not reported any cases of pneumonic plague in Siberia, following the death of 28-year-old laboratory worker Darya Shipilova from pneumonia last week. Shipilova worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute, leading Russian authorities to suspect plague infection, though microbiologist María del Mar Tomás notes no microbiological test has confirmed the diagnosis. The WHO has been in contact with Russian officials regarding the case. Tomás urges calm, stating the disease requires prolonged close contact to spread and effective antibiotics exist. Unlike COVID-19, bacterial transmission is less efficient, and early treatment within 48 hours improves outcomes. The WHO and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control are monitoring the situation.