The United States has tightened its travel advisory for Russia. The US embassy advises US citizens against travelling to the country due to security concerns and the risk of detention, according to TV 2.
The European Commission is also monitoring developments. According to Politico, the Commission is in contact with experts who are keeping a close watch on the situation.
According to Reuters, the WHO has assessed the risk to the general public as low. People who were in close contact with the deceased employee have also shown no signs of illness.
Unclear information
The case began following the death of a 28-year-old female employee. She worked at an institute involved in combating plague.
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Russian authorities have said that the woman had pneumonia of unknown cause. At the same time, they have denied that tests showed any signs of pneumonic plague.
According to the Russian news agency Tass, two cases of COVID-19 and two cases of rhinovirus have been detected among people who were in contact with the woman.
Around 200 people have also been placed under observation.
WHO wants more information
Reports have now emerged that another employee at the laboratory may have developed pneumonia of unknown cause.
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This has prompted the WHO to ask the Russian authorities for more information, according to a statement by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
It therefore remains unclear what is behind the cases of illness.
Russian authorities maintain that no signs of pneumonic plague have been found in the deceased woman or her contacts.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.