WHO Demands Clarification from Russia After Lab Worker Dies of Suspected Plague

The World Health Organization has requested information from Russia following the death of a young laboratory worker in Siberia from what is suspected to be pneumonic plague. Russia has denied an outbreak, but international health authorities are pressing for transparency, Deutsche Welle reported. The US president also commented on the case.

Pneumonic plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, is highly contagious and lethal if untreated. Outbreaks are rare but remain a concern in parts of Central Asia and Russia.