Fears of a possible ‘plague’ outbreak have grown in Russia’s Siberian region after the death of a 28-year-old laboratory worker. However, Russian health authorities have not confirmed that she died from plague and say she had pneumonia of unknown origin.
The woman, identified as Darya Shipilova, works at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute. She died on October 2 after being hospitalised with severe pneumonia. Her death has triggered concern because reports linked her illness to a possible laboratory accident.
According to local media reports, Shipilova accidentally broke a test tube containing plague bacteria while working at the institute on September 25. She reportedly became seriously ill soon afterwards and was later admitted to a hospital in Shelekhov. However, Russian health officials have not confirmed that the reported laboratory accident occurred.
Russia’s federal health agency, Rospotrebnadzor, has said that Shipilova was diagnosed with pneumonia of unknown origin. Officials also said additional tests did not detect microorganisms connected to her work at the anti-plague institute. Authorities have described the sanitary situation in the region as stable.
As a precaution, nearly 200 people who may have had contact with Shipilova have been placed under medical observation. Authorities have also introduced quarantine measures at medical facilities in the area. So far, officials have said that people under observation have not shown symptoms and tests have not confirmed plague infection.
The reports have nevertheless caused anxiety among residents, with speculation about a possible pneumonic plague outbreak spreading online and in local media.
For now, there is no confirmed evidence of a plague outbreak in the region. Authorities are continuing to monitor those who may have been exposed while investigating the circumstances surrounding Shipilova’s death.
