The World Health Organization sent a request to Russian authorities demanding additional information regarding the death of an employee of the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute, as well as data on another worker who contracted pneumonia of unknown origin.
Furthermore, WHO requested information about the pathogen that served as the basis for implementing preventive and anti-epidemic measures in the Irkutsk region.
Details of the Request and Initial Information
This request was initiated after receiving reports of the institute employee's death on October 2. The woman was hospitalized with severe pneumonia, and initial reports linked her death to a probable infection with pneumonic plague, presumably occurring in the laboratory.
In response to WHO's inquiry, Russian health authorities, acting under the International Health Regulations, reported that no cases of plague had been recorded in the Irkutsk region recently. According to their data, an epidemiological investigation was conducted, necessary preventive and anti-epidemic measures were taken, and all identified contacts underwent testing and are under medical observation.
Russian authorities also stated that no dangerous pathogens were found among people who came into contact with the sick individuals, and monitoring of all established contacts has already been completed.
WHO Requirements and Next Steps
Nevertheless, WHO insists on receiving further clarifications to determine the true cause of the severe pneumonia in the deceased employee, identify the pathogen that led to the adoption of sanitary measures, and verify information about the second worker with pneumonia of an unexplained nature.
The organization continues to interact with Russian health authorities and offered technical assistance. WHO emphasized that timely, complete, and open data exchange is critical for assessing potential public health risks and resolving discrepancies in reports.
Previously, the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan stated the stable epidemiological situation regarding plague in the country, noting the absence of confirmed cases in the Irkutsk region at that time.