A death at a specialised infectious disease research facility in Siberia has prompted heightened scrutiny after Russian authorities began investigating a suspected laboratory accident. The case involves the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East in Shelekhov, near Irkutsk, where an employee reportedly fell ill and later died.
The circumstances have also attracted attention in Washington, largely because of reports that the illness could potentially have been pneumonic plague. Russian authorities have not confirmed that diagnosis. Instead, Rospotrebnadzor, the country’s consumer health watchdog, has described the case as “pneumonia of unknown etiology”.
The employee was identified by local media as 28-year-old laboratory technician Darya Shipilova. Rospotrebnadzor said special measures were taken “in connection with the case of an employee of the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute”. The agency subsequently said expanded testing of samples found no microorganisms associated with the woman’s professional activities, according to TASS.
The institute’s role has added another layer to the case. It specialises in particularly dangerous infectious diseases, including plague, making any suspected infection or laboratory incident there a matter of heightened public health interest.
Why did plague enter the picture?
The plague link emerged after Alexei Tsydenov, the head of neighbouring Buryatia, referred to the death in a Telegram post on October 3.
Tsydenov said a woman in the neighbouring Irkutsk region had “died, maybe of the plague”. He simultaneously stressed that “there are no plague outbreaks” in Buryatia.
His remarks were followed by increased attention from regional health authorities. Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev said an extraordinary meeting of the regional anti-epidemic commission had been held with Russia’s chief state doctor over a “suspected case of a particularly dangerous infection affecting a resident of the region”.
Russian authorities have not subsequently confirmed plague as the cause of death. Former Rospotrebnadzor chief Gennady Onishchenko told TASS that the illness was “most likely not the plague, but even if confirmed, there will be no spread of this disease”.
Precautionary measures were nevertheless reported in Shelekhov. Regional outlet Liudi Baikala said nearly 200 people were placed under observation at the hospital where the laboratory worker had been treated. It also reported quarantine measures at a maternity hospital.
The nearby Irkutsk Aluminium Plant asked employees to wear masks. Its director, Artem Fominikh, said “there are many rumors and conflicting reports circulating”. He added that “All identified close contacts are under medical supervision. At present, they show no signs of the disease, and their laboratory test results are negative”.
Rospotrebnadzor said the wider situation remained stable, stating: “The sanitary and epidemiological situation in the Irkutsk region, the cities of Irkutsk and Shelekhov is stable.”
Why is Washington monitoring the case?
The possibility of pneumonic plague has been the key reason for US attention.
A US State Department official told Al Jazeera: “We are aware of reports of a fatal case of suspected pneumonic plague in Irkutsk Oblast, Russia. We are monitoring the situation closely with the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and our other interagency partners.”
The official also noted that the available information remained incomplete, saying: “Many details have not been confirmed. We encourage Russian authorities to share accurate information quickly and openly.”
The US Department of Health and Human Services separately told CNN that the CDC was closely monitoring developments in Russia and said the “safety and security of U.S. citizens is our highest priority.”
What makes pneumonic plague different?
Plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which is commonly associated with small mammals and their fleas. The disease has several forms, with pneumonic plague affecting the lungs.
Unlike forms primarily associated with infected fleas, animals or tissues, pneumonic plague can spread between people through respiratory particles. The US CDC says symptoms can include fever, headache and weakness, followed by rapidly developing pneumonia, shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing.
The World Health Organization says plague can have a high fatality rate, although antibiotics can treat the infection. Because pneumonic plague can spread from person to person, identifying and monitoring people who have been in close contact with an infected individual becomes particularly important.
For now, Russian authorities have not established that the Siberian case was caused by plague. The investigation is focused on the reported laboratory incident, the cause of the employee’s illness and whether there was any connection between her professional activities and the infection.