Moscow, Russia – Russian health authorities said no pathogens linked to work at an anti-plague research institute were detected after an employee developed pneumonia of unknown cause.
Russia’s consumer health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, conducted inspections at the Irkutsk Antiplague Research Institute after the employee became ill.
Tests identified two cases of COVID-19 and two cases of rhinovirus infection among those screened.
Authorities said no pathogens linked to other infectious diseases were detected.
“No changes in health status associated with infectious pathology were found in any of the contacts,” Rospotrebnadzor said.
The employee who prompted the investigation was diagnosed with pneumonia of unspecified cause.
Rospotrebnadzor said tests did not identify microorganisms associated with the employee’s professional work.
The watchdog also said investigators found no emergency involving work with pathogenic microorganisms at the institute.
With reports from Bernama News Agency
