Researcher dies in Siberia

Darya Shipilova, an infectious disease researcher at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia in Shelekhov, died last week from pneumonia of unknown cause, according to Rospotrebnadzor.

Unconfirmed reports of plague exposure

Unconfirmed reports claim Shipilova accidentally broke a test tube containing Yersinia pestis on September 25, fell ill, was admitted to hospital September 29, and died overnight between October 1 and October 2.

Regional official changes account

Alexey Tsydenov, head of the Russian region neighbouring Irkutsk, initially reported Shipilova died of plague but later altered his statement to say she possibly died of the disease.

Roughly 200 under observation

Following Shipilova's death, roughly two hundred people are under medical observation, several hospitals are under quarantine, and dozens are in isolation across the region.

Officials downplay plague risk

Rospotrebnadzor said the epidemiological situation is stable and no plague-associated micro-organisms were detected in samples. Former head Gennady Onishchenko said the infection was most likely not plague.

“most likely not the plague”

International agencies monitor closely

The US State Department and CDC are monitoring the situation. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is also monitoring very closely. Kyrgyzstan introduced quarantine controls at border crossing points.