Health authorities in Russia’s Siberian Irkutsk region have placed nearly 200 people under medical observation following the death of a laboratory worker
who reportedly contracted plague. The case has prompted quarantine measures and an investigation into how the infection may have occurred.
The woman, identified by Russian media as 27- or 28-year-old Darya Shipilova, worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute. Local reports said she may have been exposed after accidentally breaking a test tube containing the bacteria that causes plague while working with samples.
Shipilova was admitted to a hospital in Shelekhov, near Irkutsk, on Tuesday after developing symptoms of severe pneumonia. She was placed on mechanical ventilation before dying on Thursday, The Moscow Times reported.
The Shelekhov district hospital was subsequently placed under quarantine as authorities assessed people who may have come into contact with her. Reports put the number of people under medical observation at around 197, with more than 100 being monitored in hospital wards.
Authorities have also been working to identify additional contacts, including people who may have interacted with those already placed under observation.
Alexei Tsydenov, head of neighbouring Buryatia, confirmed that the woman had died from plague. However, he did not specify which form of the disease was involved.
He said the woman had not travelled to Buryatia and stressed that there was no plague outbreak in the republic.
“There are no plague outbreaks in the republic, including in areas bordering Mongolia,” he wrote on social media.
Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev also urged residents to remain calm as officials coordinated containment measures with Russia’s consumer safety watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor.
Kobzev said people identified as contacts were being monitored and that initial tests had not detected the infection.
“All identified contact persons have been placed under medical observation. As of today, the contacts show no signs of illness, and their laboratory test results are negative,” Kobzev wrote on Telegram.
Reports have described the case as pneumonic plague, a form that affects the lungs and can spread between people through respiratory droplets. However, Tsydenov’s statement did not identify the specific form.
Public events in Irkutsk were reportedly cancelled, while authorities also opened an investigation into possible violations of health and safety rules linked to the death.
