Siberia plague quarantine after lab worker's death raises cover-up questions

A suspected plague outbreak in Siberia has triggered a Covid-style quarantine after a lab worker died, with accusations of a government cover-up. The incident has raised public health concerns and prompted an official investigation. Daria Shipilova, a 28-year-old lab assistant, died Thursday after reportedly breaking a test tube containing live bacteria. Nearly 200 contacts are under medical observation, and authorities have quarantined a hospital in Shelekhov, though the illness has not been officially confirmed as plague. Russian officials have not confirmed plague, citing "pneumonia of unknown etiology," while critics question the official narrative. The disease, caused by Yersinia pestis, is treatable with antibiotics if caught early.