Explained: How Russia and the world are responding to a possible case of pneumonic plague after lab worker dies

WHO says a possible case of pneumonic plague in Russia poses a 'very low' risk outside the country

pneumonic plague

A severe, lung-based form of plague that can spread between people through respiratory particles

bubonic plague

The more common form of plague, caused by the bite of an infected flea, which can cause open sores filled with pus

incubation period

The time between infection and the appearance of symptoms

Rospotrebnadzor

Russia's national public health watchdog agency

pneumonia

A form of acute respiratory infection mostly caused by viruses or bacteria, spread through contact with infected people or airborne droplets