WHO says Russia has not given it the full picture on suspected plague death

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said it still does not have the "full picture" of the death last week of a 28-year-old laboratory worker in Siberia, which is suspected to be linked to plague.

Darya Shipilova died two days after developing cold-like symptoms. She worked at an anti-plague research institute in the eastern city of Irkutsk. Some reports suggest she may have been infected in a workplace accident. Russian authorities reject any link to the institute and say the cause of death was "pneumonia of an unknown aetiology". They maintain there is no risk of a plague outbreak and describe the region's sanitary and epidemiological situation as stable.

At the same time, wide-ranging quarantine restrictions have been imposed at the laboratory and in nearby hospitals. Staff were kept inside the institute for three days, sleeping on floors and chairs while tests were carried out.

WHO calls for transparency

WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency cannot carry out a full risk assessment and called for timely, complete and transparent information sharing. He also wants clarification of unconfirmed media reports about a second employee with pneumonia of undetermined cause. Russia has been asked to respond, and the WHO is waiting for an answer.

Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's director of epidemic and pandemic management, said it is still unknown how Shipilova became infected and with which disease. If pneumonic plague is ruled out, she asked, what did she actually die from?

Doubts from family and classmates

Shipilova's 64-year-old mother, Svetlana, told local media she rejects the theory that her daughter smashed a test tube. She described her daughter as a dedicated worker. Former classmates are also sceptical that she was infected at work.

Kremlin response

The Kremlin has sought to downplay the incident and has turned down an offer of help from US President Donald Trump. The White House has pressed Moscow for more details while stressing that the risk to the US is very low. Trump said he would speak with Vladimir Putin soon; the Kremlin said no call has been arranged but one could be organised quickly.

According to the Baikal Medical Journal, health officials in Irkutsk have taken extensive measures. Neighbours said workers in protective suits and gas masks disinfected the building where Shipilova lived several times.