WHO Seeks Report From Russia Over Researcher's Death From Pneumonic Plague

Moscow: The World Health Organization (WHO) has sought a report from Russia over the death of a researcher at an anti-plague research institute in Siberia who died after developing pneumonia. The WHO has asked for more information about the incident.

The request came after it was stated that US President Donald Trump would speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin in connection with the death of the 28-year-old researcher. Reports had emerged that the researcher died of pneumonic plague after a test tube containing live bacteria broke during research. Russia rejected these reports, saying that the cause of the illness had not yet been determined.

The WHO Director-General said that no cases of plague had been registered recently in Irkutsk Oblast and that the case was being monitored.

Shipilova, who was admitted to hospital on September 29 with severe symptoms of pneumonia, died on October 1. Following the incident, five hospitals were closed and more than 200 people were placed under quarantine.