WHO Investigates Respiratory Symptoms in Second Worker at Russian Plague Research Lab

The World Health Organization says it is investigating reports that a second employee at a plague research laboratory in Russia has developed respiratory symptoms.

The organization also confirmed it is closely monitoring reports of the death of a laboratory worker at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia’s Irkutsk region.

The reported illness and death concern staff at the same institute. The information provided does not establish whether the two cases are connected.

No cause of death or diagnosis for the second worker was given. The reports do not confirm that either employee contracted plague.