Suspected pneumonic plague in Siberia: What we know about the disease

Following the death of a Russian laboratory worker, there is speculation about an outbreak of pneumonic plague, a highly contagious bacterial infection of the lungs. Russia denies there is a broader risk to the community. Russian officials have said the laboratory worker's death was not caused by a plague pathogen. The 28-year-old died of "pneumonia of unknown origin," according to Russia's Interfax news agency, citing Rospotrebnadzor, Russia's disease-control agency. According to that agency, samples taken from the woman showed no microorganisms "related to her professional activities." This contradicts earlier information.