The World Health Organization (WHO) says no case of plague has been registered in Russia’s Irkutsk region following the death of a laboratory worker at an Antiplague Research Institute.
In a X post shared by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, this is in response to the organization’s request under the International Health Regulations.
“Russian health authorities reported that no case of plague had recently been registered in Irkutsk oblast. They informed WHO that an epidemiological investigation had been conducted, preventive and control measures implemented, and identified contacts placed under medical observation and tested,” the statement said.
No high-threat pathogens were detected among the contacts, and medical observation has been completed.
“They reported that no high-threat pathogens had been detected among the contacts and that medical observation of all identified contacts had been completed. WHO has remained in contact with the Russian health authorities and has offered technical support,” it added.
The worker died on October 2 after being hospitalized with severe pneumonia after reports that the worker broke a test tube that contained the pneumonic plague pathogen.
Initial information suggested the worker may have developed the said plague.
The WHO said it is still seeking more information to determine the cause of the severe pneumonia and identify the pathogen that prompted the public health measures.
It is also seeking clarification on reports of a second employee who developed pneumonia of unknown cause.
“Timely, complete and transparent information sharing under the International Health Regulations is essential to clarify conflicting reports and enable on accurate assessment of potential public health risks,” WHO said.