Health

EU monitors suspected pneumonic plague outbreak in Russia 'very closely'

AI SUMMARY

The European Commission is closely monitoring a suspected outbreak of pneumonic plague in Siberia, Russia, following a fatal laboratory incident.

The European Commission is closely monitoring a suspected outbreak of pneumonic plague in Siberia, Russia.
A lab worker at the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute died on 2 October after allegedly breaking a test tube containing the plague pathogen.
The worker's death was officially attributed to a pneumonia of unknown aetiology.
Approximately 200 people who had contact with the lab worker have been placed under strict medical observation.
Russian authorities have not confirmed the existence of a plague outbreak.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is in contact with the Commission regarding the situation.
Pneumonic plague is a fast-moving lung infection caused by Yersinia pestis with a high mortality rate that is treatable with modern antibiotics.
The European Commission is utilizing the World Health Organization to obtain updates from Russian authorities due to restricted direct communication.
The executive does not currently intend to convene a dedicated meeting or adopt emergency measures.
The United States State Department has also stated it is monitoring the situation and urged Moscow to provide accurate and transparent information.
The plague has been absent in Europe for over 50 years.