Plague Scare in Russia’s Irkutsk Region After Lab Worker Dies, 197 Quarantined

A plague outbreak scare has emerged in Russia's Irkutsk region after a female laboratory worker died from the disease, leading to 197 people being placed in quarantine. The woman's death was confirmed by Alexei Tsydenov, head of the neighboring Buryatia Republic, though the specific type of plague was not disclosed. The 28-year-old worker, identified as Daria Shipilova, reportedly broke a test tube containing live bacteria while collecting samples, according to REN TV. She was hospitalized Tuesday with severe pneumonia symptoms, placed on a ventilator, and died Thursday. Governor Igor Kobzev stated that all contacts showed no symptoms and tested negative, while authorities canceled public events and launched an investigation. Tsydenov asserted there is no plague outbreak in Buryatia, including border areas near Mongolia, and the infection was not linked to his region. The suspected infection is believed to be pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs and can spread through respiratory droplets.