WHO confirms no plague cases after Russian lab worker dies from pneumonia

The World Health Organization confirmed no plague cases and found no signs of spreading disease after a laboratory worker died from pneumonia at a Russian research facility. Health officials noted that investigators still lack a confirmed diagnosis for the deceased worker.

Russia’s state health regulator reported negative test results for the worker and her contacts. Medical monitors observed no symptoms among those who were near her. Investigators found no additional severe pneumonia cases linked to the incident.

“Based on the information provided… WHO has not identified evidence of ongoing transmission associated with this event. A key uncertainty remains the absence of a confirmed diagnosis in the deceased laboratory worker,” the agency said on Saturday.

The death took place at a facility dedicated to plague research. Experts continue to analyze the case while monitoring public health data.