Frequently asked questions

As of the latest update, no. Russian authorities told the WHO that no plague case has been recently registered in Irkutsk Oblast. The Irkutsk case is under investigation as pneumonia of unknown cause; plague has not been confirmed.

A laboratory worker at the Irkutsk anti-plague research institute was hospitalised on 29 September 2026 with pneumonia and died on 2 October. Rospotrebnadzor describes it as pneumonia of unknown etiology and says no pathogens linked to her work were detected. The cause is still under investigation.

Pneumonic plague is the most serious form of plague and the only form that can spread between people, via infectious respiratory droplets. It is treatable with antibiotics, especially when started early. No plague has been confirmed in this event.

No. WHO notes that Russia has reported no registered plague case in Irkutsk Oblast and has requested additional information. WHO’s initial risk assessment is moderate-low for Irkutsk, low for Russia, and very low for the wider Europe region.

This site does not provide medical or travel advice. For that, consult your local health authority and the WHO. WHO currently assesses the risk for Russia as low and for the wider Europe region as very low.

General information (WHO/CDC): plague can cause fever, weakness and headache. Bubonic plague causes painful, swollen lymph nodes. Pneumonic plague affects the lungs and can cause shortness of breath, chest pain and cough, sometimes with blood. This event is not confirmed plague; consult a health professional for diagnosis.