Plague Scare in Russia: Lab Worker Dies Mysteriously, 197 People Put Under Medical Watch

Kyiv: The death of a 28-year-old lab worker in the Irkutsk region of Siberia, Russia, following severe pneumonia, has raised concerns among health officials. The woman worked at the Anti-Plague Research Institute located in Shelekhov. After his death, about 197 people have been kept under medical observation. However, Russian health officials have not yet confirmed that the death was caused by plague infection. 

What is the case of death of lab worker in Siberia?

According to Russian media reports, 28-year-old Darya Shipilova was hospitalised with symptoms of severe pneumonia on September 29. Her condition deteriorated rapidly and he was put on a ventilator. She died later. She worked as a lab technician at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute.

Is dangerous infection spread due to broken test tube in the lab?

Some Russian media reports claimed that a test tube containing live bacteria was broken while working in the lab on September 25. Reports have linked it to Yersinia pestis, the bacteria that causes plague.

However, this information has not been officially confirmed yet. Russia's public health agency, Rospotrebnadzor, says the woman died of "pneumonia of unknown cause" and that tests have not confirmed any microorganism linked to her profession. 

Why were 197 people kept under medical observation?

About 197 people who came in contact with the woman have been identified. Many of these people have been kept under observation in hospitals. Authorities have started testing the contacts and as per the reports available so far, they have been found to be asymptomatic and tested negative.

Quarantine measures have also been implemented as a precautionary measure in some hospitals in the Irkutsk region. Wearing masks has also been made mandatory for employees at a large aluminum plant in Shelekhov.

Why is pneumonic plague being discussed?

The biggest concern in this matter is about pneumonic plague. This is a form of plague that affects the lungs and can spread through respiratory droplets from an infected person. But in the present case this infection has not been officially confirmed.

This is the reason why it is too early to call it an outbreak of plague. Russian health officials have described the epidemiological situation in the region as stable and said special health and surveillance measures have been implemented.

Is there plague in Russia? What did the officials say?

Authorities in Russia's Irkutsk region have appealed to people to avoid panic. The regional administration has implemented special sanitary and anti-epidemic measures to monitor the situation.

Reports have surfaced with varying claims related to the possibility of plague and a lab accident, but the official investigation is still ongoing. Therefore, at present it would not be correct to say that there has been a widespread outbreak of plague in Siberia.