Russia Denies Plague Cases Following Laboratory Technician's Death

Russian authorities have denied imposing anti-plague measures after a laboratory technician died of suspected pneumonic plague, a situation that has attracted international attention. Reports indicate that Darya Shipilova, a 28-year-old woman working at the Irkutsk Anti-plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East, died on Friday. Rospotrebnadzor, Russia’s health watchdog, stated on Tuesday that no cases of plague had been detected among individuals who had contact with the laboratory worker in the past 10 days. The agency noted that it had identified a wide circle of contacts and arranged for them to be placed under medical observation with daily laboratory tests. The institute reported that extensive testing during an autopsy found no microorganisms associated with her work, revealing only two cases of COVID-19 and two cases of rhinovirus infection, with no other infectious disease pathogens detected. Elena Sofina, deputy head of the Shelekhov district near Irkutsk, confirmed that no dangerous diagnosis had been confirmed and that 60 percent of those quarantined had been released. Local media reported that around 200 individuals had been quarantined. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the need for Moscow to provide more information, expressing concern over potential disease transmission from laboratories. The World Health Organization stated that Russia had informed them of no plague cases in Irkutsk, leaving unclear whether the technician's death was related to plague infection. Pneumonic plague, which can be transmitted through respiratory means, is the most contagious form of the disease and can be fatal without early treatment, according to the WHO.