Russia plague outbreak: Hundreds quarantined after 28-year-old lab researcher dies at plague laboratory
But reports that the woman may have been exposed to dangerous bacteria at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute have prompted hospitals to tighten precautions and officials to step up their response.
PTC News Desk: A 28-year-old lab researcher died from severe pneumonia in Russia, triggering concerns over suspected plague outbreak. Nearly 200 people who came into contact with her have been placed under medical observation.
Russian authorities have not confirmed that plague was involved. But reports that the woman may have been exposed to dangerous bacteria at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute have prompted hospitals to tighten precautions and officials to step up their response.
The incident has raised questions about what exactly happened inside the laboratory and whether Russian authorities have provided the full details. The researcher, identified in reports as Darya Shipilova, was admitted to hospital on September 29 after developing severe pneumonia. She was put on a ventilator but died two days later.
According to reports, Shipilova worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute. She reportedly told doctors that she had accidentally broken a test tube containing live bacteria. She fell ill while working on a field expedition in Buryatia, near Russia’s border with Mongolia, and was later taken to Shelekhov Hospital. Authorities have said there is currently no evidence of a wider outbreak.
Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev said people who had been in contact with the researcher were being monitored and none had developed symptoms. Their test results were reportedly negative. As a precaution, a nearby aluminium plant asked employees to wear masks. Its director also urged people not to believe rumours and conflicting reports.
Was it a plague outbreak ?
The main unanswered question is whether Shipilova actually died from plague.
Buryatia Governor Alexei Tsydenov said she may have died from plague, but stressed that there was no plague outbreak in the region.
Russia's consumer health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, has not confirmed that the illness was plague.
Former agency chief Gennady Onishchenko reportedly said the infection was more likely to be something other than plague. He added that even if plague were confirmed, colder weather could reduce the chances of the disease spreading.
These comments have added to the uncertainty surrounding the case.
Why laboratory is important ?
The incident has attracted attention because it happened at an anti-plague research institute, where dangerous infectious diseases are studied and monitored.
The reported broken test tube has therefore raised concerns about whether Shipilova may have been exposed to a dangerous pathogen while working in the laboratory.