Darya Shipilova, 28, died after falling ill at an anti-plague institute in Irkutsk. Russian authorities cite pneumonia of unknown origin, while the cause remains unconfirmed.
A 28-year-old employee of the anti-plague institute in Irkutsk, identified by local media as Darya Shipilova, died on the night of 2 October at a hospital in Shelekhov after becoming ill at work, the Guardian reported. How she became unwell has not been publicly confirmed.
Rospotrebnadzor, Russia's health watchdog, said she died from pneumonia of unknown aetiology. Alexey Tsydenov, head of neighbouring Buryatia, initially wrote that she had died of plague and later edited the post to say she had possibly died of the disease. Officials have not confirmed reports of a laboratory mishap.
CBC News reported that Russian authorities say there is currently no evidence the illness was connected to pathogens she worked with at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East. The institute studies plague control and other dangerous infections. Local media reported a lockdown of the institute and staff remaining on site.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was watching the case closely and did not think it was cause for alarm, but that it warranted focus. The World Health Organization has said the public health risk appears low on the information available, CBC reported.
Tests and any official determination of the pathogen had not been published in the reports reviewed. Authorities have not confirmed a pneumonic plague diagnosis.
People Sentiments Negative
- Marco Rubio said the case was cause for focus but not, in his view, cause for alarm