By Rajwa Quasim
The White House is monitoring a suspected case of plague in Russia’s Irkutsk region after a laboratory worker died following severe pneumonia. According to media reports, about 200 people who may have come into contact with the worker have been placed under medical observation.
The Trump administration said U.S. officials are assessing the situation. The U.S. State Department said, “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 and our other interagency partners.”
“Many details have not been confirmed. We encourage Russian authorities to share accurate information quickly and openly,” the department added.
The case centers on the death of 28-year-old Daria Shipilova, an employee at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia. According to a report by Axios, Shipilova allegedly broke a test tube containing a pneumonic plague pathogen on Sept. 25 while working at the facility. Four days later, she was hospitalized with severe pneumonia and died overnight between Oct. 1 and Oct. 2.
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Her death resulted in Russian authorities taking precautionary measures and placing people who had contact with her under medical observation. Russian authorities said the situation was being monitored and that those under observation had shown no signs of illness or indications of plague infection. Health authorities described Shipilova’s illness as “pneumonia of unknown etiology.”
Meanwhile, the head of the neighboring Republic of Buryatia confirmed that Shipilova had died from an unspecified form of plague. He added, “There are no plague outbreaks in the republic, including in areas bordering Mongolia.”
The Shelekhov district hospital where Shipilova was admitted was placed under quarantine pending an assessment by a special commission. Authorities also canceled public events in the Irkutsk region.
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Irkutsk region Governor Igor Kobzev said, “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.”
The White House said it is “aware, monitoring the outbreak, and assessing options.” The administration has not said what options it is considering or whether it considers the situation a threat to the U.S. The White House has also urged Russia to provide more information and ensure that accurate information is made available.
Plague is a bacterial disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is potentially life-threatening and can spread to people through bites from infected rodent fleas or, less commonly, through direct contact with an infected animal. Plague can be treated with antibiotics, but treatment must be given promptly to prevent serious illness or death.