What to know about pneumonic plague after conflicting reports of a death in Russia

What is the pneumonic plague?

The ancient disease of plague is back in the headlines after the death this month of a Russian lab worker.

Oct 7, 2026

What Experts Want to Know About the Russia Plague Scare

Missing details about the death of a lab worker, including the cause, are worrying scientists.

Oct 7, 2026

Fears of a Plague Outbreak in Russia: What to Know

Russian authorities aren’t saying much about the death of a woman who worked in a lab studying plague. But experts say any risk of contagion would be limited.

Oct 7, 2026

What we know about Russia’s suspected plague case

Dozens of people have been quarantined over a suspected case of the plague in Russia’s Siberia.

Oct 6, 2026

What is Russia saying about death of woman linked to plague lab?

BBC Verify looks into the death of a woman linked to plague lab in Siberia.

Oct 6, 2026

What to know about pneumonic plague after conflicting reports of a death in Russia

Russian officials have provided conflicting information about the death of an employee at a Siberian "anti-plague" laboratory. Here's what we know about pneumonic plague.

Oct 6, 2026

Pneumonic plague: What is it and how dangerous can it be?

The pneumonic plague is nearly always fatal without treatment.

Oct 5, 2026

What To Know About Russia’s Anti-Plague Institute Suspected Of Plague Leak

A Russian anti-plague research institute is under the spotlight after a laboratory worker died in a potential case of pneumonic plague. U.S. officials are closely monitoring the situation after the worker, who was employed at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and the Far East, died last week from pneumonia of undetermined origin. Secretary of ...

Oct 5, 2026