Russia says no epidemic risk after plague lab death as WHO seeks answers

Russia's health watchdog said Wednesday there is no epidemic risk after a laboratory worker died at an anti-plague research institute in Siberia, even as the World Health Organization pressed for more transparency about the concerning episode.

Rospotrebnadzor said medical monitoring had been completed for more than 90% of the deceased technician's contacts at the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute, and nearly 5,000 laboratory tests revealed no dangerous pathogens. Preventive measures in the region are being wound down.

The death had sparked international concern and local questions after disease-control measures were introduced at hospitals in Irkutsk, fuelling speculation about whether authorities were being fully transparent about the cause of illness.

The episode is a reminder of how quickly a single unexplained death at a high-security lab can set off global alarm bells — and how heavily the response leans on trust in official statements.