Russia’s government has downplayed concerns linked to media reports suggesting a female scientist in Siberia might have succumbed to the plague due to a laboratory mishap. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Rospotrebnadzor, the state’s health authority, is the leading agency in such matters. He encouraged the public to rely on official communications from the organization’s highly qualified staff.
The deceased, Darya Shipilova, 28, worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute, located more than 2,500 miles east of Moscow. Initial Russian media reports stated that Shipilova accidentally broke a test tube containing plague bacteria in late September, developed severe pneumonia, and later died. The World Health Organization confirmed her death from severe pneumonia overnight on October 2.
The bacterium involved, identified as yersinia pestis, was responsible for the Black Death in the mid-1300s, which resulted in an estimated 25 to 50 million deaths across Europe. This pandemic, often known as the bubonic plague, spread primarily through fleas on rodents living in poor sanitary conditions. Untreated, the pathogen can lead to swelling, fever, and death.
According to reports, Shipilova died from the pneumonic plague, a form that affects the lungs, causing fever and potentially bloody coughs. Unlike bubonic plague, pneumonic plague can be transmitted between people and is also lethal.
Alexei Tsydenov, the head of Russia’s Republic of Buryatia, initially mentioned Shipilova’s death from the plague on the app MAX, a state-backed platform. He later amended the post to state ‘possibly,’ as noted by Lyudi Baikala, an independent Russian media outlet operating in exile. Local officials initially advised against visiting Shelekhov, where Shipilova was hospitalized, citing ‘unofficial information’ about a human plague case. This advisory was removed shortly thereafter, according to Lyudi Baikala and Astra, another independent news site.
Rospotrebnadzor later confirmed performing ‘anti-epidemic measures,’ including testing roughly 200 people who were in contact with Shipilova. The agency reported some individuals tested positive for colds or COVID-19, but no harmful pathogens were detected. Rospotrebnadzor also denied any accidents at the Irkutsk Institute, attributing Shipilova’s death to ‘pneumonia of unknown origin.’
The WHO indicated that, based on available unofficial information, the health risk to the general public remains low.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on Monday, stating that the suspected plague case does not warrant alarm but should be monitored. He noted limited travel between the U.S. and Russia, suggesting vigilance rather than concern is appropriate.
Jennifer Jacobs contributed additional information to this report.