Russia denies lab leak in suspected pneumonic plague outbreak

Russian authorities have reported a suspected pneumonic plague outbreak to the WHO, while simultaneously denying a lab leak origin. Concurrently, a lab worker at a Siberian anti-plague institute died under undisclosed circumstances, with Russia confirming the death to the WHO but stating no plague case was registered. The WHO has found no evidence of active transmission related to the death, but the underlying cause remains uncertain, raising concerns about biosafety and transparency.