WHO seeks details on Russian lab worker's death in suspected plague case

The World Health Organization said Wednesday it does not know how a Russian lab worker in Siberia died amid suspected plague concerns, urging Moscow to provide more information about the October 2 death. WHO epidemic chief Maria Van Kerkhove said the agency lacks clarity on the "causative agent" behind the woman's death at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute. Russia's health watchdog reported pneumonia of unknown origin but found no evidence of plague pathogens, while authorities have quarantined a hospital and monitored contacts. The case has sparked global concern, with President Donald Trump saying he would discuss it with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian state media have avoided the topic, and experts noted officials' secrecy may undermine public trust, though pneumonic plague remains treatable with antibiotics if detected early.