Suspected plague response Wadephul weighs restrictions

Oct 9

Pollak says Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is raising possible travel restrictions after a suspected death from pneumonic plague in Siberia, and reads his statement that risks cannot be taken. AUF1 reports unnamed critics' suspicion that the response is politically motivated because the case concerns Russia. Pollak also attributes calls for transparency and swift action, and a COVID-era lesson, to former health minister Karl Lauterbach. The report does not establish a confirmed plague diagnosis or imposed restrictions.

Johann Wadephul publicly raises possible travel restrictions after a suspected pneumonic-plague death in Siberia. AUF1 quotes his refusal to take risks, reports critics' suspicion of political motives and attributes transparency and rapid-action calls to Karl Lauterbach. The diagnosis remains suspected in this source, and no travel restriction is reported as imposed.