The WHO Has Hinted That Russia Is Concealing The Extent Of The Plague Outbreak
- 8.10.2026, 9:05
- 1,196
The organization does not have the data needed to fully assess the situation.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that he does not have the “full picture” of the situation regarding a possible case of plague in Russia following the death of a laboratory employee, reports The Guardian.
“We do not yet have the full picture of this case, and we cannot conduct a comprehensive risk assessment… Timely, complete, and transparent information sharing is extremely important for clarifying conflicting reports and ensuring an accurate assessment of potential risks to the public,” the WHO Director-General noted.
Ghebreyesus also stated that the WHO has asked the Russian government for a response regarding media reports of a second laboratory employee with pneumonia of unknown etiology. The organization is awaiting a response from Moscow.
WHO Director for Epidemic and Pandemic Response Maria Van Kerkhove noted that the organization still does not know exactly how the deceased lab employee became infected or with which viral disease. If pneumonic plague has been ruled out, “then what actually caused her death?” Van Kerkhove asks.
Death in Russia due to a possible plague infection—what is known
It was previously reported that 28-year-old Daria Shipilova, an employee of the Anti-Plague Research Institute, died in the Irkutsk Region of the Russian Federation. According to media reports, on September 25, she may have broken a test tube containing the pathogen that causes pneumonic plague. On September 29, she was hospitalized with severe pneumonia, and she died on the night of October 2.
Strict quarantine restrictions were imposed at the laboratory where Shipilova worked and at nearby hospitals. Staff were isolated on the premises for three days. About 200 people who may have come into contact with Shipilova were also placed under medical observation.
Officially, Russian authorities diagnosed Shipilova with pneumonia of unknown origin and deny that it was the plague.
The U.S. is trying to determine the circumstances surrounding the employee’s death and the reasons for the quarantine in Siberian hospitals: the CDC, the State Department, and other agencies are investigating. On October 5, President Donald Trump called the situation “a big problem for Russia” and offered assistance.
Later, Trump announced a phone call with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to discuss a possible case of the plague in the Irkutsk region.
Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims
You can contact us by the e-mail charter97@gmail.com
