Mongolia orders health surveillance on Russia border after reported plague death in Siberia

Mongolia has ordered health surveillance measures on its border with Russia after reports of a plague death in Siberia. The reported death involved a 28-year-old lab worker at a plague research institute in Irkutsk, who allegedly broke a test tube containing plague bacteria. Russian authorities have downplayed the reports, saying the cause of death is undetermined. The World Health Organisation is investigating possible second death. The US has urged Russia to be transparent. The border crossings remain operational with monitoring in place.