‘Not like coronavirus’: Mystery shrouds Russian lab technician’s death, some residents fear plague, others remain calm
Russian authorities blamed the October 2 death of the woman, whom news outlets identified as Darya Shipilova, on “pneumonic plague”, which can spread from person to person. Shipilova was a lab technician at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute.
Darya Shipilova, a 28-year-old Russian lab technician, died on October 2, and her cause of death remains unclear. Authorities initially blamed pneumonic plague, but her tests came back negative for the pathogens she worked with. She was vaccinated and immune to those pathogens. Russian officials described her pneumonia as "community-acquired," contracted outside of a hospital.
The incident has sparked skepticism, with some residents fearing plague while others remain calm. The World Health Organization and the United States have called for more information, but the Kremlin has urged people to rely only on official updates. Local residents report varying reactions, from a lack of concern to panic and stockpiling of antibiotics.
One resident reported seeing disinfection teams at the deceased worker's apartment, though verification of this account was not possible.
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