WHO sees 'low' risk for Europe after suspected plague death in Russia

The World Health Organization said Tuesday it is verifying with Russian authorities the death of a 28-year-old institute worker in Siberia from suspected pneumonic plague, but assessed the risk to Europe as "very low." WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier stated in Geneva that initial risk assessment indicates moderate-to-low risk for Irkutsk, low for Russia overall, and very low for the European region. Pneumonic plague is a highly contagious, potentially fatal lung infection transmitted through droplets. The death of Daria Shipilova in the Siberian region of Irkutsk triggered alarm, though WHO emphasized the global threat remains minimal. Unlike bubonic plague, which spreads via infected fleas, this form transmits through respiratory droplets.