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Hong Kong shoppers are snapping up masks, with Watsons rushing fresh supplies to its stores every hour as claims about plague spreading from Russia to China circulate online.
The retailer said on 10 October that demand was rising across its stores and stocks of some popular styles were running low.
Its response: urgent hourly restocking to keep masks on the shelves.
Watsons also reported a strong response to its 12 per cent discount promotion. It did not link the surge in demand to the plague rumours.
Russia-to-China claims spread online
A widely shared Threads post claims three cases of plague imported from Russia have been recorded in Henan. Those cases remain unverified.
The same post alleges that Chinese workers are queuing to leave Russia and Russian residents are heading to north-eastern China, Sanya, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
WHO seeks answers over laboratory death
The claims come after a laboratory worker in Russia’s Irkutsk region died on 2 October following pneumonia of undetermined origin.
Russian authorities said tests found no evidence that pathogens handled at her workplace had caused her illness.
On 7 October, the World Health Organization said it was still seeking more information about the cause of her death.
WHO’s preliminary assessment on 6 October put the risk at moderate to low in Irkutsk, low across Russia and very low in the WHO European region.
Advice for Hong Kong travellers
Plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis.
It can spread through infected flea bites, contact with infected animals, or respiratory droplets from someone with pneumonic plague. Prompt antibiotic treatment is essential.
Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection advises travellers to avoid rodents and sick or dead animals.
Anyone who develops symptoms should seek medical attention promptly and tell their doctor about recent travel and possible exposure.
References
- Watsons Hong Kong: mask demand and hourly restocking update, 10 October 2026
- Original Threads post containing the unverified China case and travel claims, 10 October 2026
- Associated Press: WHO seeks more details about the Russian laboratory worker’s death, 7 October 2026
- UN Geneva: WHO briefing on the suspected Irkutsk plague death and preliminary risk assessment, 6 October 2026
- Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection: frequently asked questions on plague
