Pest-Forschungsinstitut: Behörde: Untersuchungen in Irkutsk zeigen keine Pestfälle

Following the death of a scientist at a pest research center in Siberia, Russian authorities have nearly completed investigations into potential contact persons. Out of the nearly 5,000 laboratory tests conducted, 90 percent of the individuals under observation have been tested, reported the disease control authority Rospotrebnadzor.

No health impairments related to infectious diseases have been detected, quoted the state news agency Tass from the announcement. The results of the tests have shown no dangerous pathogenic microorganisms, but the number of possible contact persons of the deceased scientist has not been specified. Reports have mentioned numbers up to 200 individuals.

The authority reiterated its statement from Sunday, confirming there was no laboratory accident in the pest disease control institute in Irkutsk. It also emphasized that there is no epidemic risk for the region, which is about 4,200 kilometers east of Moscow. Russia informed the World Health Organization (WHO) in accordance with regulations about the incident, reported Rospotrebnadzor.

The 28-year-old woman died on the previous Friday, with lung inflammation of unknown origin officially listed as the cause of death. However, she was not infected with the pest viruses with which she had professional contact, the authorities said. The Kremlin calls media reports false. The mysterious case of a possible infection with lobar pneumonia, however, raises concern abroad.

The USA and the WHO are urging for further information. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskow, meanwhile, said in Moscow that one should adhere to the official information of Rospotrebnadzor. Most information about Irkutsk in the media is considered false.