From Mother Jones · Arianna Coghill · · 50s
Plague Outbreak in Siberia After Lab Accident
A Russian lab accident killed a researcher, triggering quarantine of five hospitals in Siberia.
In brief
A Russian lab accident killed a researcher, triggering quarantine of five hospitals in Siberia. A 28-year-old lab technician died after a lab accident in Irkutsk, Russia, leading to quarantine of five hospitals in Siberia. Originally reported by Mother Jones.
Lab accident in Irkutsk
A 28-year-old lab technician at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute died two days after hospitalization following exposure to a pneumonia of unknown etiology.
“pneumonia of unknown etiology”
Researcher's death confirmed
The researcher died after breaking a test tube with live yersinia pestis on september 25th.
“yersinia pestis”
Quarantine measures
Five hospitals in siberia closed for quarantine after the outbreak was reported by rospotrebnadzor.
Government response
The russian government convened a special meeting on sanitation and epidemic prevention after reports of a suspected infection.
Public health measures
People who contacted the researcher were placed under medical observation with no signs of illness.
What to remember
A 28-year-old lab technician died after a lab accident in Irkutsk, Russia, leading to quarantine of five hospitals in Siberia.
