Russian Plague Institute Long Worked With China

The Russian anti-plague research institute, where a lab worker died of pneumonia, has a history of collaboration with Chinese institutions. Local reports of a lab accident infection were denied by Russian authorities, who attributed the death to unknown causes and stated there was no virus spread related to her work. The incident has drawn attention to the institute’s international connections.

• A lab worker at a Russian anti-plague research institute died from an unknown form of pneumonia.
• The institute has a long-standing history of working with Chinese institutions.
• Initial local reports suggesting a lab accident infection were officially denied.
• Russian authorities stated the death was due to unknown etiology and there was no virus spread related to the worker’s job.