WHO says it does not have ‘full picture’ from Russia following suspected plague death
‘Transparent information sharing’ from Moscow is required to conduct full risk assessment, UN agency says
TL;DR
- The WHO has not received a full picture from Russia regarding the suspected plague death of a lab worker in Siberia.
- Russian authorities deny a connection to the plague research institute and state the worker died of pneumonia.
- Sweeping quarantine restrictions have been imposed at the lab where the worker was employed.
- The WHO is awaiting clarification from the Russian government on conflicting reports, including a potential second employee with pneumonia.
- The cause of the worker's infection and death remains unclear to the WHO.
- Neighbors reported disinfection efforts at the deceased worker's apartment building, with officials claiming it was for cockroaches.
- The Kremlin has downplayed the incident and rejected an offer of assistance from the US president.