Society

07 October, 2026 / 15:12

/ 1 hour ago

Moldovan health minister says there is no risk of escalation, in connection with suspected case of pneumonic plague in Russia

There is presently no risk of escalation in Moldova, in connection with the suspected case of pneumonic plague reported in the Irkutsk region of Siberia, Russia. Health Minister Alexandru Gasnas has made statements to this effect, noting that the situation was being monitored.

The minister said that the case concerned the Irkutsk region, in an isolated area of Siberia, where one death was recorded and approximately 200 people were placed in quarantine.

“It is the Irkutsk region, in Siberia, in an isolated area. We are talking about one death; it is the pneumonic form, and the other 200 people are in quarantine. At present, there is no risk of escalation, because it occurred in a laboratory,” the minister said after a today’s cabinet meeting.

Alexandru Gasnas noted that Moldova had testing capabilities and the antibiotics needed to respond in the event of a potential emergency.

The case in Russia has raised suspicions of a possible pneumonic plague infection, following an incident at a laboratory in the Irkutsk region. The situation is being monitored by Russian authorities and the World Health Organization.

Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. The pneumonic form can be transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets and requires rapid medical intervention.

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