The authorities of Mongolia have decided this Wednesday to implement "health monitoring measures" at the border crossings with Russia due to the possible outbreak of pneumonic plague detected in Irkutsk, after the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated on Tuesday that it is closely monitoring the case of the death of a worker from a Russian laboratory.
The Mongolian Ministry of Interior has emphasized that, "despite the fact that the risk is currently low," it has asked the "relevant government agencies to take the necessary precautionary measures to maintain vigilance and monitoring against potential dangers."
The department has also specified that "the border crossings continue to operate normally. Health monitoring measures will be implemented in these areas," according to information released by the country's television channel Live TV.
While Russian authorities emphasize that there is no danger of contagion, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the public health agency of the United States, have indicated that they are "closely monitoring" the alleged episode of pneumonic plague in Russian territory.
At the same time, the Government of China has highlighted the existence of "close exchanges" regarding the death of the laboratory employee in Russia, despite reports pointing to the absence of "high-risk pathogens" among the people who had contact with the deceased.