Health authorities in Russia's Irkutsk region have quarantined a local hospital and placed nearly 200 people under medical observation after a laboratory worker died from pneumonic plague.
The patient was identified as 28-year-old Darya Shipilova, an employee at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute.
Reports indicate she accidentally broke a test tube containing live plague bacteria during sample collection before developing severe pneumonia symptoms.
Hospital Quarantine and Contact Tracing
Shipilova was admitted to the Shelekhov district hospital on September 29, prompting strict quarantine of the inpatient department while outpatient services remained open.
Authorities confirmed that 189 of the 197 identified contacts were hospitalized for medical monitoring.
Regional officials convened a special commission on epidemic prevention alongside Russia's chief sanitary officer Anna Popova to coordinate emergency containment measures and cancel planned public events in Irkutsk.
Alexei Tsydenov, head of the neighboring republic of Buryatia, stated, "There are no plague outbreaks in the republic, including in areas bordering Mongolia."
Tsydenov later clarified his statement regarding the regional safety status following confirmation of the victim's cause of death.
Irkutsk region Governor Igor Kobzev wrote, "All identified contact persons have been placed under medical observation.
As of today, the contacts show no signs of illness, and their laboratory test results are negative."
Law enforcement authorities have opened a criminal investigation into potential health safety violations resulting in death, while contact testing continues across the region.
