Russia Denies More Plague Related Deaths

The Russian government has rejected claims of a second plague-related fatality in Siberia and rejected assertions of an outbreak, cautioning the public to trust information from official health agencies. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked that a significant portion of the media reports were inaccurate when questioned about the rumored second death.

He advised individuals to consult statements from Russia’s health surveillance agency, Rospotrebnadzor, for verified updates. The worries arose following the demise of Darya Shipilova, a 28-year-old worker at a plague research facility in Siberia. She passed away last Friday due to pneumonia, though the primary cause was not confirmed at the time.

Subsequent reports indicated that approximately 200 individuals were placed in quarantine as a preventive measure while authorities investigated potential infections. The incident also garnered global interest, prompting the World Health Organization to request additional information from Russia regarding the details of her death.

Russian health authorities have dismissed any threat of a plague epidemic. They have also rejected reports of another plague-related fatality. Shipilova’s death has not been verified as a plague case, and a definitive link between her illness and the infection has not been established. Consequently, assertions of additional plague-related deaths or a broader outbreak should not be regarded as confirmed occurrences.