WHO seeks details from Russia on suspected plague death in Siberia

· Health · Russia

The World Health Organization said it does not have the full picture from Russia about the death of Darya Shipilova, a 28-year-old lab worker at a plague research institute in Siberia, and urged Moscow to share transparent information for a full risk assessment. Nearly 200 contacts were placed under medical observation in the Irkutsk region. Russian authorities denied pneumonic plague caused the death. President Trump said the US does not think it was a bioweapon and planned to speak with President Putin about it. China said it is talking to Russia about the case.

Why it matters：A suspected plague case at a high-security lab raises global health-security questions, and the lack of transparency complicates risk assessment across borders.

Key points

  • The WHO said it lacks the full picture from Russia and urged transparent information sharing.
  • Nearly 200 people were under medical observation in the Irkutsk region.
  • Trump said the US does not believe it was a bioweapon and planned to call Putin.

Sources (original reporting)

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