Russian lab worker's suspected plague death leaves experts puzzled
A laboratory worker in Siberia died after developing severe pneumonia, prompting concern about a possible case of pneumonic plague. Russian authorities have not confirmed plague and have described the illness as pneumonia of unknown cause.
The case has drawn attention because the worker studied plague at a research institute. Russian authorities imposed quarantine measures at several medical facilities, while reports said nearly 200 people were being monitored.
Accounts differ on how the worker may have become ill. One report cited an alleged broken test tube containing live bacteria; another raised the possibility of a work trip to Buryatia. Neither a plague infection nor a laboratory accident has been confirmed.
U.S. officials said they were monitoring the situation and called for accurate information. A separate report said the World Health Organization assessed the public-health risk as low.
Where this came from
CNBC did not allow its article to be shown here. This version was written by Sureno, in its own words, from other reporting:
- PBS News — Understanding pneumonic plague after Russian lab worker's death
- Free Press Journal — Russian Plague Scare: How The World Is Responding & What Has Changed
- International Business Times UK — Test Tube Accident or Buryatia Trip? Conflicting Reports Emerge Over How Russian Lab Worker Fell Ill