The government urges the public to verify information before sharing. Laboratory results show no plague bacteria detected in Russia. It emphasizes there is no confirmed evidence of an outbreak and asks the public not to panic over unverified information.
On 12 Oct 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Ploytale Laksameesangchan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, disclosed that amid growing concerns about a plague outbreak in Irkutsk, Russian Federation, the government has instructed the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, to closely monitor information and provide continuous updates. The latest findings from the Department of Disease Control in cooperation with the IHR-NFP regarding the "plague in Russia" case reveal that laboratory tests found no plague bacteria, and there is still no evidence confirming a plague outbreak. The public is urged not to panic over unverified information.
Ms. Ploytale added that plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and can spread to humans through bites from infected fleas or contact with infected animals. Pneumonic plague can also transmit between people via respiratory droplets in close contact with patients. Therefore, anyone with a travel history from risk areas who experiences high fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, cough, or difficulty breathing should promptly see a doctor and disclose their travel history to receive appropriate treatment. The disease is treatable if diagnosed early and antibiotics are administered during the initial stages.
“Although laboratory results show no plague bacteria and no evidence confirms a plague outbreak, for public safety, the government has assigned the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, to closely monitor the situation, including ongoing coordination through international disease surveillance networks. To prevent misunderstandings, the government asks the public to verify information before sharing and to follow news only from official agencies,” Ms. Ploytale said.