Lab Worker Dies After Suspected Exposure to Plague Bacteria
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Russia is investigating a suspected case of pneumonic plague in the Irkutsk region.
Darya Shipilova, a 28-year-old lab worker, died on October 2.
Shipilova was employed at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute.
In local reports, it has been noted that her illness could be due to a lab incident.
It was stated that she broke a test tube containing live Yersinia pestis bacteria.
She subsequently got severe pneumonia and had to be admitted to a hospital.
However, no confirmation from the officials was made for her illness to be plague.
Pneumonia of unknown origin was reported by the public health agency in Russia.
On the other hand, 200 contacts have been put under observation.
Some precautions have been taken by several hospitals as well.
In addition to that, several public events have been canceled.
This measure has been taken to avoid any kind of infection from spreading.
According to Axios, White House is also monitoring reports on the matter.
Russian authorities are investigating the situation.
The cause for Shipilova’s sickness is still unknown.
