Russia quarantines hundreds after researcher dies at Siberian plague lab
Authorities have denied evidence of a wider outbreak as quarantine measures follow the death of a researcher who may have been exposed to dangerous bacteria
Russian authorities have placed hundreds of people under observation and introduced quarantine measures following the death of a 28-year-old researcher from severe pneumonia at a plague laboratory in Siberia, amid growing concerns about a possible laboratory-acquired infection.
There has been no official confirmation from Russian authorities that the plague was involved. However, reports that the woman may have come into contact with dangerous bacteria at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute have led hospitals to strengthen precautions and authorities to intensify their response.
The incident has also raised questions about what took place inside the laboratory and whether Russian authorities have disclosed the full picture. The researcher, named in reports as Darya Shipilova, was admitted to hospital on September 29 after developing severe pneumonia. She was put on a ventilator but died two days later.
Shipilova had been working at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute and told doctors that she had accidentally smashed a test tube containing live bacteria, according to the Daily Mail. She fell ill while on a field expedition in neighbouring Buryatia, near Russia's border with Mongolia, and was later moved to Shelekhov Hospital.
Authorities began tracing people who had potentially come into contact with the researcher soon after.
Nearly 200 people were reportedly quarantined at the Shelekhov hospital where Shipilova had been treated, according to unofficial reports cited by CNN, including those published by independent regional outlet Liudi Baikala. The Daily Mail reported that three hospitals in the region were also placed under quarantine measures.
Officials have maintained that there is no evidence at present to suggest a wider outbreak.
Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev said everyone identified as a contact was being kept under medical observation and that none had developed symptoms. He said their laboratory test results were negative. As a precaution, an aluminium plant near the laboratory asked its employees to wear masks, while its director appealed to residents not to be alarmed by what he called rumours and contradictory reports.
The US has reportedly been following media reports surrounding Shipilova's death. A US official, cited by American news outlet Axios, said on Sunday (local time) that the White House was monitoring reports of a suspected plague case and the quarantine measures imposed in Russia.