WHO: Plague spread risk in Europe very low after Russia lab death

The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the risk of further plague spread in Europe as "very low" following the death of a lab worker in Russia's Irkutsk region last week. The risk for that specific region is rated as moderate to low, while the rest of Russia faces a low risk. The WHO's initial risk analysis is based on available information, and the organization is continuing its investigation. It has contacted Russian health authorities to verify the circumstances and ongoing laboratory tests, also offering assistance. Russian officials deny a lab accident occurred, stating the 28-year-old woman died of pneumonia with an unknown cause. The WHO notes pneumonic plague is highly contagious and can be fatal without treatment, but spread beyond the region remains very limited.