A 28-year-old technician at the Irkutsk anti-plague institute died after pneumonia of unknown cause. Russian authorities say work-related pathogens were not found; contacts were isolated.
A 28-year-old laboratory technician at the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute in Shelekhov, Siberia, died after being diagnosed with pneumonia of unknown origin, Rospotrebnadzor told reporters cited by CNN. Local media identified her as Darya Shipilova.
She was hospitalized on 29 September and died in early October. Rospotrebnadzor said samples did not show microorganisms linked to her professional duties and that the regional epidemiological situation was stable. The agency has denied that an accident involving pathogenic microorganisms occurred at the institute.
Independent outlet Lyudi Baikala reported that she broke a tube containing pneumonic-plague bacteria on 25 September. Russian authorities have not confirmed that account. RFE/RL reported that more than 60 staff were isolated. CNN, citing TASS, said several contacts were diagnosed with Covid-19 and rhinovirus.
The US State Department said it was aware of reports of a possible pneumonic-plague death. The Kremlin said people should rely on the official agency. Accounts of how she became ill conflict, including a competing claim that she fell ill after travel.
The cause of death has not been publicly established beyond the official diagnosis of pneumonia of unknown etiology. Further laboratory findings, if released, would be the next material update.
People Sentiments Negative
- The Kremlin said the public should trust only official agency updates.
- Local and social media reports treated the death as a possible laboratory exposure, which authorities have not confirmed.