Mystery surrounds death of plague researcher in Russia
Mystery surrounds the death of a researcher at a plague-control institute in Russia’s Siberian region of Irkutsk, as authorities impose quarantine and medical monitoring measures amid unconfirmed reports of possible exposure to plague.
Daria Shipilova, an employee of the Irkutsk Research Institute for Plague Control, died in the early hours of Oct. 2 in an intensive care unit at a hospital in the city of Shelekhov.
Local media reports, cited by Euronews, said she had allegedly broken a test tube containing a plague pathogen. The claim has not been confirmed by Russian health authorities.
Around 200 people under medical observation
Following the incident, around 200 people were reportedly placed under strict medical observation as authorities launched sanitary and epidemiological measures.
Local reports also said several hospitals in Irkutsk were placed under quarantine, with restrictions expected to remain in place for about three weeks.
Authorities initially released limited information about the case and avoided publicly using the word “plague” during the first 24 hours, fueling speculation about a possible outbreak.
Officials report pneumonia of unknown cause
Russia’s consumer health and safety watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, said a worker at the Siberia and Far East Irkutsk Plague Control Institute had been diagnosed with pneumonia of unknown cause.
The agency said special measures had been introduced and that extensive testing of samples from the patient found no microorganisms connected to her professional activities.
Rospotrebnadzor also said the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the Irkutsk region and in the cities of Irkutsk and Shelekhov remained stable.
Rumors of pneumonic plague
Irkutsk regional Governor Igor Kobzev said an emergency sanitary and anti-epidemic commission had met on Oct. 2 following information about a suspected “particularly dangerous infection” in the region.
Some social media channels reported that the institute employee had died from pneumonic plague. Russian authorities have not confirmed that claim.
Five investigations have reportedly been launched by health and law-enforcement authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the case and assess any potential risk to the public.
White House reportedly monitoring situation
The developments have also drawn attention in Washington.
According to Axios, US officials said the administration of President Donald Trump was monitoring reports of a suspected plague outbreak in Russia and the quarantine measures introduced in response.
The officials reportedly said the US government was assessing its options. The US State Department had not publicly confirmed the reports at the time of publication.
For now, Russian authorities maintain that no link has been established between the illness and a plague pathogen, while health officials continue monitoring those who may have been exposed.
Source:Euronews-AA
