Statement from WHO regarding epidemic concerns in Russia: 'It has been reported that no plague cases have been recorded'

While the death of a 28-year-old woman, who worked as a laboratory technician at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute in the Siberian region of Russia, as a result of a suspicious infection on Friday, October 2, caused epidemic concerns, a statement on the subject came from the World Health Organization (WHO).

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated in the message he published on his social media account that WHO is closely following the news about the allegations. Noting that Russia responded to WHO's verification request within the scope of the International Health Regulations, Ghebreyesus said, "Russian health authorities have reported that no plague cases have been recorded in Irkutsk recently. Authorities told WHO that an epidemiological investigation was carried out, prevention and control measures were implemented, and the identified contact persons were taken under medical surveillance and tested. No high-risk pathogens were found among the contact persons and the medical surveillance processes of all detected contact persons were carried out." "It has been stated that it has been completed," he said.

"ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WAS REQUESTED FROM RUSSIA"

Emphasizing that WHO maintains contact with Russian health authorities and offers technical support, Ghebreyesus said, "WHO has requested additional information from Russia in order to clarify the cause of the severe pneumonia case, the risk that led to public health measures being taken, and the media reports about a second employee who caught pneumonia of unknown cause."

"COMPLETE AND TRANSPARENT INFORMATION SHARING IS VITAL IMPORTANCE"

Pointing out the importance of Russian health authorities openly sharing updated information with the public, Ghebreyesus reminded that "Timely, complete and transparent information sharing within the scope of the International Health Regulations is of vital importance in order to clarify contradictory news and to accurately assess possible public health risks."

SUSPICIOUS DEATH CAUSED OUTBREAK CONCERNS

A 28-year-old woman, who worked as a laboratory technician at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute in the Siberian region of Russia, died under suspicious circumstances on Friday, October 2. The death, which was announced to have occurred as a result of pneumonia of an unknown cause, raised concerns about an epidemic.

IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE SITUATION WAS UNDER CONTROL

The Russian Agency for Human Health and Consumer Protection (Rospotrebnadzor) announced that no cases of infectious disease had been reported among people who came into contact with the deceased laboratory worker in the last 10 days. As a result of comprehensive tests, it was stated that no microorganisms related to his work were found in the body of the laboratory technician who died. Authorities announced that 60 percent of the people quarantined as a precaution were released from quarantine and the situation was under control.