What is the pneumonic plague?
A Russian lab researcher recently died from an undiagnosed pneumonia, sparking international concern about the potential spread of pneumonic plague. While Russian authorities deny any link to the plague, the World Health Organization has requested more information to conduct a proper risk assessment.
Why it matters
The incident highlights global health security concerns regarding the handling of dangerous pathogens in research facilities and the importance of transparent international reporting.
The ancient word "plague" is back in the headlines.
NPR's Russia correspondent Charles Maynes reported this week on what we know about a Russian researcher working in a lab studying the plague who died from pneumonia of an unknown origin last week.
Maynes reports that the employee was a 28-year-old woman who worked in a lab in Siberia, some 2,500 miles from Moscow. An investigation by Russia's consumer health watchdog concluded that no pathogens in her body were connected to her work with infectious disease.
But local media have raised concerns about the spread of pneumonic plague, which NPR has not independently confirmed.
It's one of the diseases studied at the lab in Siberia. It's airborne and can be fatal.
Also covering this story
17 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Trump To Speak To Putin On Plague As US Steps Up Pressure
Moscow denies sanitary measures over plague reports
Everything we know about the suspected plague case in Russia so far
Russia responds to US help offer after death of plague researcher
WHO seeks more details from Russia about reasons for plague institute worker's death
US 'watching closely' after plague researcher dies in Russia
Did a Russian lab worker die from pneumonic plague? What we know - and don't know
Dozens quarantined in Siberia after plague institute lab worker dies
'Will call Putin over pneumonic plague,' says Trump - what is happening in Russia?
What is plague and how dangerous is it?
Plague epidemic risk in Russia low after death of lab technician, WHO says
How Russia and the world are responding to possible case of plague
How Russia and the world are responding to a possible case of pneumonic plague after lab worker dies - AP News
Trump offers U.S. help to Russia after plague death; WHO assesses the situation as low risk
Trump to speak to Putin on plague as US, UN urge transparency
WHO Comments On Russian Plague Lab Death As Trump Expresses Concern - Forbes
Russia says no plague found in contacts of Siberian lab worker who died - NBC News
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in