Plague in Russia: what is confirmed, what is disputed, what is false

Suspected plague death at the Irkutsk anti-plague institute, and the rumours that followed

A laboratory worker at a Siberian anti-plague institute died in early October 2026. Early reports suspected pneumonic plague; Russian authorities dispute this. Separate reports of cases in Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug were denied by officials.

• A laboratory worker at the Irkutsk anti-plague institute diedConfirmed by officials
• The death was caused by pneumonic plagueDisputed
• Nearly 200 people were placed under medical observationConfirmed by officials
• A second pneumonic plague case occurred in SiberiaDenied by officials