A Russian laboratory researcher has died after developing pneumonia of unknown origin at an anti-plague research facility in Siberia, prompting authorities to investigate a possible case of plague and place people who may have been exposed under observation.
The incident was reported at the Anti-Plague Research Institute in Shelekhov, near Irkutsk, which specialises in infectious diseases, according to Russian state media TASS and the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor).
Rospotrebnadzor said the researcher had been diagnosed with pneumonia of “unknown” origin. Authorities have not confirmed that the death was caused by plague.
Authorities investigate possible plague
Officials in the surrounding area have taken precautionary measures following the death.
Maternity hospitals in nearby cities were placed under quarantine, while workers at a nearby aluminium plant and laboratory staff were advised to wear face masks.
Despite the measures, authorities said the sanitary and epidemiological situation in Irkutsk and Shelekhov remained stable.
The head of neighbouring Buryatia said a 28-year-old employee had died “possibly from plague”, prompting an extraordinary meeting of the regional anti-epidemic commission.
The official also urged residents to remain calm.
Nearly 200 reportedly under observation
Artem Fominikh, director of the Irkutsk Aluminium Plant, said authorities were checking people identified as having had close contact with the deceased researcher.
He said none of those individuals had shown signs of the disease and that laboratory tests conducted so far had returned negative results.
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Unofficial reports from the independent regional outlet Liudi Baikala said nearly 200 people had been placed under observation at the Shelekhov hospital where the laboratory worker was treated.
The figures have not been independently confirmed by Russian authorities.
US monitors situation
Gennady Onishchenko, a former head of Rospotrebnadzor, said an outbreak of plague was unlikely. He added that even if plague were confirmed, he did not expect the disease to spread.
The United States is also monitoring reports about the incident.
A US State Department spokesperson said Washington was aware of reports concerning possible pneumonic plague in Russia and was following the situation closely, according to CNN.
The spokesperson also urged Russian authorities to provide accurate information about the case.
For now, authorities have not confirmed a plague outbreak in the region, while investigations and testing continue to determine the cause of the laboratory worker’s death.
