WHO Says Plague Epidemic Risk in Russia Low

· Health · Russia

The World Health Organization said the risk of an epidemic in Russia is low after the sudden death of a lab technician who worked at a plague research institute in Siberia. Darya Shipilova, 28, died last week, prompting quarantine of about 200 people and public health fears on social media. Russian officials said she died of pneumonia and denied imposing anti-plague measures, while residents of the city of Shelekhov said their lives had barely been disrupted. Unverified claims about a laboratory accident involving a test tube circulated online.

Why it matters：The episode shows how quickly a single unexplained death can trigger global health fears and misinformation, testing trust in official reporting.

Key points

  • WHO assessed the epidemic risk in Russia as low after a lab technician's death.
  • Russia said Darya Shipilova, 28, died of pneumonia and denied anti-plague measures.
  • About 200 people were quarantined, and unverified lab-accident claims spread online.

Sources (original reporting)

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