Global pneumonic plague outbreak unlikely, experts say
Published: 10 October 2026, 8:59:59
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A global outbreak of pneumonic plague is unlikely despite concerns over the death of a Russian laboratory technician, as modern antibiotics, rapid symptom onset and effective public health measures can help contain the disease, experts say.
The 28-year-old technician, Darya Shipilova, reportedly died after developing pneumonia-like symptoms in Siberia’s Irkutsk region. However, the cause of her death has not been officially confirmed, and laboratory testing was reportedly underway.
Pneumonic plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, can spread from person to person through respiratory droplets and can be fatal without prompt treatment. Experts say its severe symptoms usually appear quickly, allowing health authorities to identify, isolate and treat patients and monitor their contacts.
A 2025 clinical trial in Madagascar found that two antibiotics were effective in treating bubonic plague, while most patients who developed pneumonic complications also survived with timely treatment.
The World Health Organization reportedly assessed the risk as moderate to low for Irkutsk, low for Russia as a whole and very low for the WHO European region. Experts, however, warn that plague remains a public health concern, with cases and occasional local outbreaks continuing in several parts of the world.
