WHO seeks more data on plague lab worker 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, leaving the cause unclear. WHO has requested additional details on testing and contact tracing. The U.S. CDC sees no broader threat to America. Plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, is treatable with antibiotics.