What is Russia hiding? Critical statement from WHO regarding pulmonary plague

Ghebreyesus made evaluations on global health issues at the WHO's weekly press conference.

Reminding that the first media reports appeared about a suspected case of pneumonia in a laboratory worker at Russia's Siberia and Far East Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute, Ghebreyesus said that this person died after being hospitalized due to severe pneumonia.

Ghebreyesus stated that initial information indicated that "pulmonary plague" developed after an accidental laboratory exposure and said, "WHO is aware that the Russian government held a meeting on October 2, upon suspecting that a person residing in the Irkutsk region had a dangerous infection." he said.

"TIMELY, COMPLETE AND TRANSPARENT INFORMATION SHARING IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE"

Ghebreyesus said that WHO requested more information from Russia in accordance with the International Health Regulations on October 3, and stated that Russia's response yesterday stated that no plague cases had been reported recently in the Irkutsk region and that they had quarantined approximately 200 contact persons.

Noting that WHO requested additional information about the laboratory tests performed on the deceased person and his contacts, more details about the reasons that led to public health measures and details about the health conditions of the contacts, Ghebreyesus made the following evaluations:

"We also asked for confirmation of media reports about a second employee suffering from pneumonia of unknown cause. WHO offered technical support on plague and laboratory biosafety and biological safety. Since we do not yet have a full picture of the incident, we cannot make a comprehensive risk assessment. Timely, complete and transparent information sharing within the framework of the International Health Regulations is of great importance in order to clarify contradictory news and to accurately assess potential public health risks."

PNEUMANE CASE IN IRKUTSK REGION

Irkutsk Regional Governor Igor Kobzev announced that an extraordinary sanitary and anti-epidemic commission meeting was held on October 2, upon information that there was a "suspicion of a particularly dangerous infection" in a person living in the region.

On some social media channels, it was claimed that an employee of the anti-plague institute died due to "pulmonary plague" on the same day.

In the statement made by Rospotrebnadzor, it was reported that special measures were implemented after an employee of the Siberian and Far Eastern Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute was diagnosed with "pneumonia of unknown cause."