WHO Seeks Details on Siberian Lab Worker Death as Russia Denies Plague Risk

The World Health Organization is pressing Russia for more details after a 28-year-old lab worker at a Siberian plague research institute died, while Moscow insists there is no epidemic risk. The case has drawn international concern, including from US President Donald Trump. Russian health regulator Rospotrebnadzor said Wednesday that Darya Shipilova died last Friday from pneumonia, without specifying a cause, and is easing safety measures after nearly 5,000 lab tests found no dangerous germs. The WHO said it cannot give a full risk assessment without more information on tests conducted and pathogens evaluated. The Kremlin has dismissed reports of a second case as false, urging the public to rely on official updates. Shipilova had been vaccinated against dangerous infections, but officials have not explained how she became sick.