Anna Hartz
A 28-year-old researcher at an anti-plague institute in Russia’s Irkutsk region has died after developing severe pneumonia.
Her death has raised fears that she may have been infected with plague, but Russian health authorities say there is no evidence so far of a plague outbreak.
Unclear circumstances
Daria Shipilova was taken to a hospital in the city of Shelekhov on September 29 after developing serious symptoms. She died during the night of October 1 to 2, according to Reuters.
The circumstances surrounding her illness remain unclear. Reports have claimed that Shipilova accidentally broke a test tube containing live plague bacteria shortly before she became sick. Russian health authorities have denied that a laboratory accident took place.
There was also confusion over the cause of death. Alexei Tsydenov, head of the neighbouring Republic of Buryatia, initially said Shipilova had died from plague. He later changed his statement and said she may have died from the disease.
Rospotrebnadzor, Russia’s health and consumer protection agency, has rejected that claim. Officials say the young researcher died from pneumonia of unknown origin.
Around 200 people who had contact with Shipilova were placed under quarantine and monitored by health officials. Several hospitals in the area were also involved in the precautionary measures.
Cases of COVID
Tests among people who had been in contact with Shipilova found cases of COVID-19 and rhinovirus. No plague infections have been detected among them. Russian authorities said on October 6 that most of those who were quarantined had since been released.
The World Health Organization has also been monitoring the situation. WHO said Russia had reported no confirmed plague cases in Irkutsk and that the risk to the wider population remained low.
Plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It can spread through infected fleas, contact with infected material and, in the case of pneumonic plague, through respiratory particles. The disease can be very serious, but antibiotics can be effective when treatment starts early.
For now, the main question remains unanswered. Authorities have not established that Shipilova had plague, and there is no confirmed outbreak among her contacts. The investigation into what caused her death is continuing.
