Authorities quarantined contacts and cordoned off part of a hospital after a laboratory worker at an Irkutsk anti-plague institute died; officials said she died of pneumonia of unknown cause.
A laboratory worker at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East has died, and authorities have quarantined people who had contact with her, Reuters reported from Moscow on 5 October.
Local media named the woman as Darya Shipilova. Governor Igor Kobzev said she died of pneumonia of unknown aetiology and that no new cases among institute staff seeking care had been identified in recent days. Anna Popova, head of the health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, flew to the region for an emergency meeting.
Reuters said parts of the hospital in Shelekhov where she died were cordoned off and an aluminium plant told workers to wear masks. Authorities urged calm and said there was no evidence linking the death to her work.
RFE/RL’s Siberia.Realities reported that more than 60 institute staff had been isolated and that Shipilova, 28, was hospitalised on 29 September and died early on 2 October. Rospotrebnadzor said no accidents involving pathogenic microorganisms had been recorded at the institute. A relative quoted by RFE/RL said isolation began on 2 October and that no positive test had been found by 3 October.
Officials have not confirmed plague as the cause of death. US outlets said Washington was seeking details of the reported case and quarantines. The cause remains publicly unresolved.
People Sentiments Negative
- Governor Igor Kobzev said the woman died of pneumonia of unknown cause and that the regional sanitary situation was stable.
- Authorities asked residents to remain calm and said there was no evidence the death was linked to laboratory work.