Russia’s health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, denied reports of a second illness and said nearly 5,000 laboratory tests detected no dangerous pathogens. It said monitoring was complete for more than 90% of the worker’s contacts. The World Health Organization is seeking details about the cause of the pneumonia, the pathogen that prompted preventive measures and reports of a second employee with unexplained pneumonia.
The CDC is monitoring the case and says there is no indication of a broader threat to the US. The US Embassy’s health alert reiterated the existing Level 4 advisory against travel to Russia and its instruction that Americans there depart immediately. The travel warning cites wrongful detention and security concerns, and the embassy said Washington has limited ability to assist Americans, especially outside Moscow.