From euronews · Alexei Doval · · 1m 10s
Plague Panic in Siberia
Lab worker's death sparks plague fears in Russia's Irkutsk region.
In brief
Lab worker's death sparks plague fears in Russia's Irkutsk region. A lab worker in Irkutsk died after accidentally breaking a plague test tube, triggering quarantine and panic over pneumonic plague risks. Originally reported by euronews.
Panic spreads in Irkutsk
Residents of Russia's Irkutsk region are deeply worried by rumours of a possible outbreak of pneumonic plague after a lab worker's death.
Lab worker dies in hospital
Darya Shipilova, a 28-year-old laboratory assistant, died in the early hours of 2 October after breaking a test tube containing plague pathogen.
Quarantine measures begin
Around 200 people were placed under strict medical observation, and several Irkutsk hospitals closed due to the incident.
Initial response delayed
Authorities initially avoided using the word 'plague' and described the situation as 'a particularly dangerous infection' on 2 October.
Pneumonia of unknown cause
Rospotrebnadzor confirmed the death was from 'pneumonia of unknown aetiology' with no plague-related microorganisms found.
Panic continues
Residents reported wearing protective gear, and social media fears grew despite officials stating the situation was stable.
The bottom line
A lab worker in Irkutsk died after accidentally breaking a plague test tube, triggering quarantine and panic over pneumonic plague risks.
