PLAGUE: The new COVID? From Russia to Kenya, new disease alerts are fueling fears of another global outbreak

WHO demands more information from Russia and says there may be a second employee with unexplained pneumonia

WHO Director-General Tedros says the organization is seeking information about the cause of the Russian worker’s severe pneumonia, the pathogen that triggered the public-health measures, and reports of a second employee with pneumonia of undetermined cause.

⚡️BREAKING: The U.S. Embassy in Russia has warned Americans about the threat of plague and urged them to leave Russian territory immediately.

Russian authorities deny that the infection is spreading. pic.twitter.com/qTvcUM4Gbf

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) October 7, 2026

JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇷🇺 US Embassy urges all Americans in Russia to leave the country immediately following suspected pneumonic plague outbreak. pic.twitter.com/vPC0RQFeXz

— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) October 7, 2026

Russia says nearly 5,000 tests found no dangerous pathogen, but the original cause of death remains unexplained

Russia says roughly 90% of the people initially quarantined have now been released and nearly 5,000 laboratory tests found no dangerous pathogens. But authorities still have not established what killed the 28-year-old laboratory worker.

Kenya confirms its first imported Bundibugyo virus disease case and death

Kenya confirmed its first imported Bundibugyo virus disease case after a citizen became sick in the DRC, traveled through Uganda and arrived in Nairobi. The patient died October 5, and Kenya began contact tracing and enhanced screening at high-risk entry points.

Kenya identifies 57 contacts after its first imported case

Kenyan authorities say they have identified 57 contacts, with 10 already accounted for and quarantined. The government is also maintaining isolation capacity at five designated hospitals.