Possible pneumonic plague case: What to know and how experts are responding

The World Health Organization says a possible case of pneumonic plague in Russia presents a “very low” risk outside the country as investigators look into what caused the death from pneumonia of a lab employee there last week. The U.N. health agency said on Tuesday that it has been in contact with Russian authorities following reports of the death last week of a woman who worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East. 2:17 Health Matters: Researcher at Russian plague laboratory dies of ‘unknown’ infection The case and the investigation, led by Russian officials, have revived memories of the COVID-19 pandemic and allegations that the coronavirus may have emerged at a Chinese lab. WHO has not provided a definitive answer to how the pandemic began. Story continues below advertisement Here’s what to know about the case and how experts are mobilizing after the woman’s death:Pneumonic plague is a form of the disease that affects the lungsThe incubation period for pneumonic plague — which means lung-based and is the most virulent form of the disease — can be as short as 24 hours, according to WHO. It’s a less common but severe form that can spread betwee...