What to know about plague amid reports of worker death at Russian lab
Summary
A Russian scientist reportedly died after possibly catching plague bacteria in a lab accident in Siberia. Health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), say the risk to the public is low but are asking Russia for more information about the case.Key Facts
- Reports say a 28-year-old researcher in Siberia, Darya Shipilova, died after exposure to plague bacteria in a lab.
- Russian officials say she died of pneumonia from an unknown cause, denying a lab accident.
- The WHO states no plague has been detected and is seeking more details from Russia.
- Plague is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria and has three forms: bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic.
- Pneumonic plague affects the lungs and can spread between people through cough droplets.
- The disease is treatable with antibiotics if caught early.
- U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have asked Russia for greater transparency.
- Experts say the current response to the situation does not match typical plague cases.
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