Russian Scientist's Pneumonic Plague Death Raises Quarantine in Siberia

A researcher in Russia died of pneumonia of unknown origin, raising concerns about a possible case of pneumonic plague, with nearly 200 people in quarantine. The World Health Organization and other agencies are monitoring the situation, though the risk to the general public appears low. The deceased was identified as Daria Shipilova, 28, who worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia. Pneumonic plague is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium and spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets, with a mortality rate of 30% to 100% if untreated. The infection can also be transmitted via flea bites or contact with infected fluids. Symptoms appear within one to four days. Pneumonic plague has been absent from Europe for over 50 years, though cases occur in Africa.