The Russian government is downplaying public concern following media reports that a 28-year-old laboratory researcher in Siberia died after exposure to the plague during a workplace accident. The scientist, identified as Darya Shipilova, worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute located more than 2,500 miles east of Moscow. Initial local reports and regional statements suggested she had broken a test tube containing the Yersinia pestis bacteria in late September, subsequently contracting severe pneumonia before passing away. However, Russia’s health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, rejected those claims, stating that the death was caused by pneumonia of an unknown origin and that no lab accident took place. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov urged the public to rely on official information from qualified health professionals. International health bodies and officials have responded to the incident with calls for greater openness. World Health Organization representatives noted that while they are closely monitoring the situation, the public health risk to the general population remains low. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Moscow to share comprehensive details with the global community, noting that Washington is following developments closely. Russian health authorities reported that nearly 200 individuals who came into contact with Shipilova were placed under medical observation, with all subsequent tests returning negative for dangerous pathogens. Medical experts emphasize that unlike the historical bubonic plague, modern pneumonic infections are fully treatable with antibiotics if caught early.
Source: cbsnews.com
