Russia reports suspected plague case; neighbors tighten borders

A 28-year-old lab technician in Irkutsk, Russia, reportedly died from Yersinia pestis (plague) exposure. Nearly 200 contacts are being monitored, with WHO confirming all 187 remain symptom-free. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have heightened border health screenings. Russia declined US assistance, stating it can manage the situation independently.