WHO seeks more data after plague lab worker's death in Siberia

The World Health Organization said Wednesday it lacks sufficient information from Russian authorities to fully assess risks after a plague laboratory worker died in Siberia, urging more transparency. Russia reported over 200 contacts quarantined but no recent plague cases in Irkutsk oblast. WHO officials confirmed the worker died of pneumonia, though lab tests found no causative agent, and they await further details on testing and contact tracing. The WHO has offered technical support on plague biosafety. The U.S. CDC sees no broader threat to America, where plague remains rare, averaging seven cases yearly.