Russia Says Situation 'Under Control' After Plague Reports; US Monitoring Closely

Moscow has downplayed reports that a laboratory technician died of plague, stressing that post-mortem tests did not detect the disease. The technician, 28-year-old Darya Shipilova, worked at the anti-plague institute in Siberia's Irkutsk region. Reports of her death on Friday sparked alarm, but Russian officials insist the situation is under control. Meanwhile, Washington has said it is closely monitoring the situation. FRANCE 24's August Hakansson reports on the conflicting information surrounding the case. While Russian authorities claim the death was not caused by plague, the incident has raised concerns about safety at biological research facilities. The institute is known for studying dangerous pathogens, and any accident there could have serious implications. The World Health Organization has not issued a statement, but the case has drawn international attention. The lack of transparency in Russia's handling of such incidents often fuels speculation and worry. As investigations continue, health experts are calling for thorough and open reporting to ensure global health security.