Researcher At Russian Plague Laboratory Dies of 'Unknown' Infection
"Russian health authorities have taken precautionary measures in response to the death of a woman who worked at an anti-plague research facility," reports Axios, "but have not confirmed that she contracted plague." On Sept. 25, 28-year-old Daria Shipilova, who worked at an anti-plague research institute in Russia's Irkutsk region, broke a test tube containing the pneumonic plague pathogen, local…
Russian health officials are maintaining vigilance following the death of a 28-year-old researcher at an anti-plague facility in the Irkutsk region. Daria Shipilova, who worked with the pneumonic plague pathogen, passed away on October 2 after being hospitalized for severe pneumonia. Authorities have not confirmed whether she contracted the plague; instead, her death was attributed to pneumonia of unknown cause.
No microorganisms related to her work were detected following further testing. In response to the incident, quarantines were imposed at several medical facilities and nearly 200 people who had contact with Shipilova are under observation. However, the regional governor and Russia's public health agency have stated that the situation remains stable and the epidemiological situation in the area is not alarming.
Plague, if untreated, is a serious and potentially life-threatening bacterial disease, but it can be treated with antibiotics if caught early.
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