US Requests Information from Russia on Plague Incident

The United States has made a formal request to Russia for information concerning the reported death of a laboratory technician from plague, as calls for transparency from Moscow increase.

Russian authorities have denied implementing anti-plague measures and have downplayed the incident at a plague research institute in Siberia's Irkutsk region. Reports indicate that the technician, identified as Darya Shipilova, may have contracted pneumonic plague due to a lab accident. Up to 200 individuals who may have been in contact with her are reportedly under quarantine.

While Russian officials assert that the cause of death remains unconfirmed, the World Health Organization has urged Moscow to provide more information. WHO's director emphasized the importance of timely and transparent communication regarding public health risks. An international conference on infectious diseases is scheduled in Irkutsk later this month, although it is stated to be unrelated to the recent incident.