WHO announces that Europe will not be affected by the plague that killed one person in Russia

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the health risk for Europe is “very low” following the death of an employee of a research institute in Irkutsk, Siberia, which may have been caused by pneumonic plague. However, the cause of death, which occurred on October 2, has not been officially confirmed.

WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said Tuesday that the risk is considered “moderate to low” in the Irkutsk region, “low” in Russia, and “very low” in Europe. The organization is monitoring the situation and remains in contact with authorities in other countries.

The institute where the woman worked studies dangerous pathogens, including the bacterium that causes plague, in an area of Siberia where the disease occurs naturally in wild animals. Russian authorities have identified the people who came into contact with the deceased employee and are monitoring them. So far, they have not developed symptoms.

The WHO assesses that the risk to the general population is low, based on the available information. The United States issued an alert regarding the case on Sunday, October 4, while the Kremlin called for calm and the use of official Russian information, which indicates pneumonia of unknown etiology. Reports that some hospitals in Irkutsk had been quarantined have not been confirmed by the WHO.

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