WHO Seeks Russia's Data on Plague Lab Worker's Death in Irkutsk

The World Health Organization has requested additional information from Russia regarding the death of a laboratory worker at the Irkutsk anti-plague institute, following media reports of a possible plague case in the region. Russian authorities told the WHO that no plague cases have been confirmed in Irkutsk, and said contacts of the deceased lab assistant, Darya Shipilova, have been identified and quarantined. The WHO seeks clarification on the cause of her "severe pneumonia," as well as reports of a second employee with pneumonia of unknown origin. Shipilova died on the night of October 2. Russia's consumer watchdog Rospotrebnadzor stated no pathogens linked to her work were found and no emergency situations occurred. Some Irkutsk hospitals were quarantined, and the U.S. embassy advised Americans to leave Russia.