From EUobserver · · 1m
EU Urges Russia to Share Plague Death Details
EU demands Russia disclose plague death in Siberia.
In brief
EU demands Russia disclose plague death in Siberia. The EU urges Russia to share information about a suspected pneumonic plague death in Siberia after local authorities denied the cause of death. Originally reported by EUobserver.
Plague death in Siberia
A young woman died in Siberia in early October after reportedly breaking a test tube containing plague bacteria.
“Darya Shipilova, a 28-year-old laboratory technician at the research and hygiene institute in question, accidentally broke a test tube containing plague bacteria in late September, became infected and died in hospital several days later, on 2 October.”
Russia denies plague cause
Russian authorities claim the woman died of pneumonia and state no microorganisms from her work were found in her body.
“Authorities have not confirmed the cause of the woman's death, letting on only that she died of pneumonia and claiming that no microorganisms connected with her work had been found in her body.”
EU calls for transparency
The EU Commission urges Russia to share timely, precise information about the possible plague outbreak with the WHO.
“Russia should make information about the plague available as soon as possible. This is what we need”
Quarantine measures
Some 200 contacts were quarantined with medical supervision, and hospitals in the area ordered three-week quarantines.
“Some 200 of her contacts were subsequently put into quarantine with medical supervision.”
Border controls
Russia's neighbors Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan have introduced border controls.
“Russia's neighbours, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, have all introduced border controls.”
Russia's response
Russia claims the epidemic situation is stable with no signs of infection in contacts, but public health officials traveled to Irkutsk for meetings.
“Russia said the epidemic situation in the area was stable, that none of the deceased woman's contacts had shown signs of infection, and that there was no cause for concern.”
The key point
The EU urges Russia to share information about a suspected pneumonic plague death in Siberia after local authorities denied the cause of death.
