The World Health Organization indicates that the probability of an epidemic in Russia remains low following the recent death of a laboratory technician employed at a Siberian plague research institute.
Laboratory technician Darya Shipilova, aged 28, passed away last week—dying two days after becoming ill. Russian media reports suggest she became infected after an accident at her workplace, a facility that stores and studies hazardous pathogens.
Russian authorities have downplayed the incident, stating that Shipilova died of pneumonia of unspecified etiology. In response, strict quarantine protocols have been instituted at the Irkutsk research center and in several neighboring hospitals.
Christian Lindmeier, a World Health Organization spokesperson, affirmed that Monday there is no evidence of a broader outbreak. All contacts of the affected patients have been identified and are undergoing monitoring, with none currently showing symptoms.
Russian officials continued to investigate whether a viral pneumonic plague was responsible for Shipilova’s death; however, the WHO has classified the health risk as moderate to low in Irkutsk, low in the remainder of Russia, and very low across Europe.
“Timely, complete and transparent information sharing under the International Health Regulations is essential to clarify conflicting reports and enable an accurate assessment of potential public health risks,” he wrote on X.
According to Russian media, sixty of Shipilova’s coworkers have been confined to the institute since Friday, resting on floors and chairs while extensive testing is conducted. Five hospitals implemented analogous restrictions, and family members were prohibited from viewing patients.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov advised the public on Tuesday to avoid speculation and to rely on official statements from Rospotrebnadzor, the nation’s health security agency. Rospotrebnadzor confirmed that conditions in Irkutsk remained stable, reporting no new infectious disease cases among institute personnel.
International observers have been tracking the development closely. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Moscow to provide more details about the incident, warning that greater transparency is expected. “It is incumbent upon Russia to share more information openly with the world,” Rubio declared, adding that the situation is being watched hour by hour.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. State Department sent Russia a confidential diplomatic message—a demarche—cautioning that failure to disclose details violates Moscow’s international health commitments.
“I have a call scheduled, yes,” Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if he had already spoken to Putin about the technician’s death, adding that the meeting would occur “very soon.”
Earlier, the administration asserted its willingness to aid Russia, saying, “We prefer not to see others suffer; we will help. Everyone facing such challenges will receive our support.”
Rospotrebnadzor responded affirmatively, announcing that Russia is prepared to cooperate with the United States in combating domestic infectious disease outbreaks.
“The situation regarding dangerous infectious diseases remains unstable,” it stated, highlighting a significantly worsening measles episode in three U.S. states and a fatal plague case recorded in New Mexico during June.
ȊWith'Agence'France&Presse'
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