Russian Plague Laboratory Researcher Dies After Suspected Dangerous Infection Incident

A 28-year-old researcher has died after a suspected dangerous infection incident at an anti-plague laboratory in Siberia, Russian authorities reportedly said.

The incident took place at the Anti-Plague Research Institute in Shelekhov, near Irkutsk. The exact infection or substance involved has not been confirmed.

Russia’s consumer health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor said special measures were carried out after an employee of the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute was diagnosed with pneumonia of “unknown etiology”, meaning the cause was unclear.

“The sanitary and epidemiological situation in the Irkutsk region, the cities of Irkutsk and Shelekhov is stable,” Rospotrebnadzor reportedly said.

Possible Plague Infection

Alexei Tsydenov, head of neighbouring Buryatia, earlier said the employee, a 28-year-old woman, had reportedly died “possibly from the plague”. He also said there was no plague outbreak in Buryatia.

Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev urged residents to remain calm after an extraordinary meeting of the regional anti-epidemic commission with Russia’s chief state doctor.

Kobzev said the meeting concerned a “suspected case of a particularly dangerous infection” affecting a resident of the region.

Contacts Under Medical Observation

An aluminium plant near the laboratory instructed employees to wear masks as a precaution.

Artem Fominikh, director of the Irkutsk Aluminium Plant, reportedly said there were “many rumours and conflicting reports” and urged calm.

“All identified close contacts are under medical supervision. At present, they show no signs of the disease, and their laboratory test results are negative,” Fominikh reportedly said.

Unofficial reports by the independent regional outlet Liudi Baikala said nearly 200 people were placed under observation at the hospital in Shelekhov where the laboratory worker was taken.

The outlet also reported that quarantine had been imposed at least one maternity hospital in the city.

What Is Known About Plague

Gennady Onishchenko, a former head of Rospotrebnadzor, said the infection was “most likely not the plague”. He told state news agency TASS that even if plague were confirmed, the disease would not spread and that colder weather would likely limit transmission.

The US State Department reportedly said it was aware of the possible death from pneumonic plague in Russia and was monitoring the situation with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies.

The CDC says pneumonic plague can cause fever, headache, weakness and rapidly developing pneumonia, including shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing. The World Health Organisation says plague can have a high fatality rate but can be treated with antibiotics and controlled through precautions to prevent infection.