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WHO Says Plague Risk Remains Low After Testing

By Drooid · Oct 8, 2026, 11:36 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Rospotrebnadzor Finds No Plague

Rospotrebnadzor says no plague was found among contacts of the lab worker who died.
The 28-year-old technician Darya Shipilova died on Oct. 2 of pneumonia of unknown etiology.
About 200 possible contacts were placed under observation or quarantine.
Testing identified two COVID-19 cases and two rhinovirus infections, with no other pathogens detected.
World Health Organization (WHO) says public-health risk remains low and requests more information from Russia.

Summary

WHO Offers Assistance

Russian officials deleted multiple online articles about a second plague-related death and an Irkutsk travel advisory.
REN TV erased five plague stories.
WHO director Tedros Ghebreyesus said the agency is ready to provide technical assistance and lab-testing guidance.
Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan imposed stricter health screenings after reports of possible pneumonic plague.
U.S. President Donald Trump said a bioweapon link was unlikely and arranged a call with President Vladimir Putin.

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Rospotrebnadzor Finds No Plague

Rospotrebnadzor says no plague was found among contacts of the lab worker who died.
The 28-year-old technician Darya Shipilova died on Oct. 2 of pneumonia of unknown etiology.
About 200 possible contacts were placed under observation or quarantine.
Testing identified two COVID-19 cases and two rhinovirus infections, with no other pathogens detected.
World Health Organization (WHO) says public-health risk remains low and requests more information from Russia.

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