Pandemic Watch
Plague Suspected pneumonic plague, Irkutsk, Russian Federation
Situation brief Up to two suspected deaths in Irkutsk, Russia, after a reported accident at the regional anti-plague institute; the second is an unconfirmed media report. Russia says no plague case has been recorded, and WHO rates the risk low.
0 Confirmed
2 Probable / Suspected
2 Deaths
Origin (suspected) Russia
Affected RU
Unconfirmed. A technician at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute was hospitalised on 29 Sep 2026 after reportedly breaking a tube of Yersinia pestis culture, and died on 2 Oct; nearly 200 contacts were placed under observation. Russian media reported a second death at an Irkutsk hospital on 6 Oct, not independently confirmed. Russian health authorities say pathogen tests were negative and told WHO no plague case has been recorded. WHO assesses the risk as low. (CBC, CBS News, NPR, Oct 2026)
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