Russian Plague Lab Worker Dies As Nearly 200 Are Monitored

A laboratory worker at a Russian institute that researches some of the world’s most dangerous infectious diseases has died following a mysterious respiratory illness, triggering quarantines and concern over a possible exposure to plague.

The 28-year-old laboratory technician worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East. She became seriously ill and died October 2 after developing what authorities have described as pneumonia of unknown origin.

Reports circulating from Russia claim the worker may have accidentally broken a test tube containing Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for plague, while working inside the laboratory. Russian authorities have not confirmed that account.

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Health officials say testing has not established that the woman was infected with plague, and officials maintain that investigators have found no confirmed accident involving dangerous pathogens at the facility.

Authorities nevertheless took extensive precautions following her illness.

Nearly 200 people who may have had contact with the worker have reportedly been placed under medical observation or isolation. More than 60 employees of the institute were also isolated, while hospitals in the region implemented additional restrictions.

Testing among those being monitored has reportedly identified cases of COVID-19 and rhinovirus, but no confirmed cases of plague have been announced.

Confusion surrounding the incident increased after regional officials initially made statements suggesting the woman may have died from plague before later walking those statements back. A warning reportedly advising residents to avoid travel to the area because of plague concerns was also removed.

The institute involved in the incident specializes in researching and monitoring dangerous infectious diseases, including plague.

Pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs, is considered the most dangerous form because it can spread between people through respiratory droplets during close contact. Unlike during historic plague outbreaks, the disease can now be treated with antibiotics when identified quickly.

At this point, there is no confirmed plague outbreak and no confirmed laboratory leak. What is confirmed is that a worker at an anti-plague research institute died following an unexplained illness and authorities responded by isolating and monitoring a significant number of people while the investigation continues.

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