Russian health authorities debunked reports of a second person falling ill after the death of a worker at a plague research lab in Siberia. All individuals who had contact with the deceased worker have undergone preventive measures, and no dangerous pathogens have been detected, according to the Russian health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor.
The 28-year-old lab employee, Daria Shipilova, passed away from pneumonia of unknown origin. She worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia and the Far East. Russian officials confirmed that Shipilova was vaccinated against the dangerous infections she dealt with and was therefore immune.
The World Health Organization initially assessed the public health risk as low but expressed concern over the lack of information provided by Russian authorities. The WHO offered assistance to Russia and sought verification of reports regarding a second employee with unexplained pneumonia.
Health Canada and the U.S. CDC have been monitoring the situation, with both agencies stating minimal risk to their respective countries. The CDC has a port health station at JFK International Airport for screening travelers from the affected region entering the U.S. Direct flights between Russia and the U.S. have been halted since the Ukraine conflict in 2022.
