The bigger risk than the Russians was the plague epidemic broken out in Tallinn. This though spread also to the camp of Russians and forced them to end the siege on 16 March 1571.
Suuremaks ohuks kui venelased, oli tallinlastele puhkenud katkuepideemia. See levis aga ka venelaste laagrisse ja sundis neid 16. märtsil 1571 piiramist lõpetama.