Mystery surrounds young worker's death at Russia lab studying severe diseases
The World Health Organization says it still doesn't know what caused the death of a young worker at a Russian lab focused on plague and other illnesses
The World Health Organization says it still doesn't know what caused the death of a young worker at a Russian lab focused on plague and other illnesses. Initial, unconfirmed reports suggest pneumonic plague, a severe disease less common than bubonic plague. Pneumonic plague spreads from person to person, causing severe pneumonia, but recovery rates are high if treated in time. WHO calls for continued investigation. Russian health officials have conducted over 5,500 tests and found no evidence of dangerous pathogens. WHO mentions a “purported second case,” which Russia denies.
Electric scooters are parked next to the building of the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East in Irkutsk, Russi, on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026.
GENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization said Saturday it still doesn’t know what caused the death of a young worker at a lab in Russia that focuses on plague and other illnesses.
The U.N. health agency has cited initial, unconfirmed reports suggesting pneumonic plague, a severe disease less common than the better-known bubonic plague linked to the Black Death in the Middle Ages. Pneumonic plague spreads from person to person, causing a severe form of pneumonia, but recovery rates are high if it is detected and treated in time.
WHO, in its first full Disease Outbreak News since the case emerged earlier this month, called for a continued investigation.
Russian health officials, it said, had conducted more than 5,500 tests and found no evidence of any dangerous pathogenic microorganisms.
“Additional clinical, epidemiological and laboratory information, including confirmation of the diagnosis in the deceased laboratory worker, is required to improve confidence in the assessment,” WHO said.
WHO continued to refer to “a purported second case” that, in emailed explanations to The Associated Press, it previously attributed to two tabloid news outlets in Britain and Serbia that cited unspecified reports in Russia.
Russia has denied any such second case.
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