Lab worker's death in Siberia triggers suspected pneumonic plague alert; EU and US monitor closely

5 October 2026

A laboratory technician at the Irkutsk anti-plague research institute in Siberia died on 2 October. Her death was attributed to pneumonia of unknown aetiology, and about 200 contacts were placed under medical observation. The case is being treated as a suspected pneumonic plague; Russian authorities have not confirmed a plague outbreak, and the consumer protection agency Rospotrebnadzor said expanded sample testing found no microorganisms associated with her work. The European Commission said it is monitoring "very closely" and is using the WHO to get updates. The WHO said, based on unofficial information, that the public health risk to the general population appears to be low. Pneumonic plague is caused by Yersinia pestis and responds to antibiotics if caught early.