'WHO says it is low risk...': UN urges caution in discussing possible Siberian plague outbreak

The United Nations on Tuesday (October 6) urged caution in discussing a possible plague outbreak in Siberia, saying the World Health Organization (WHO) was in contact with Russian authorities and was taking the lead within the UN system. "I think we need to ensure that the words used matter," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters when asked whether the WHO planned to declare a public health emergency. Dujarric said the WHO had contacted Russian authorities, who had responded. He said the agency was "following the situation extremely closely" and was ready to support them "in any way."