Russian authorities have launched “anti-epidemic measures” and placed nearly 200 people under medical observation after a researcher at a laboratory institute in Siberia died from an unknown infectious illness. 

Researcher Dies From Unknown Disease

The 28-year-old female laboratory technician, identified as Darya Shipilova, who dedicated her research to studying the plague and other infectious diseases at the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia, was diagnosed with pneumonia of “unknown” origin. She had just returned from a work trip to Buryatia and died shortly after. 

Following the young woman’s death, authorities implemented a “comprehensive set of anti-epidemic measures,” according to the mayor of Shelekhovsky district in eastern Russia, Maxim Modin. Officials confirmed the death last week and are monitoring the situation to prevent further spread or deaths. 

The inpatient facility where the researcher was treated was quarantined, and several other areas of the hospital stopped discharging or admitting patients, Modin said. Other hospitals in the area were also closed to prevent the spread. 

According to Rospotrebnadzor, the Russian agency that handles infectious diseases, expanded testing has found no microorganisms linked to the employee’s work. “No micro-organisms associated with the employee’s professional duties were detected in samples taken from the patient,” Modin said.

Others Under Observation

The mayor added that there have been no further reports of infectious diseases among the institute’s staff over the last 10 days, and that all people the employee recently came into contact with are being tested and examined for illness. Nearly 200 people are under observation, and Rospotrebnadzor said the “sanitary and epidemiological situation” in the cities of Irkutsk and Shelekhov is “stable.”

A virologist at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization said that the incident does not appear to be a public health crisis, but rather a tragic laboratory accident. The Anti-Plague Institute employs roughly 95 researchers, all of whom monitor and work to prevent outbreaks of high-risk bacterial and viral infections. 

The head of the Republic of Buryatia, where the researcher has recently visited, said the employee died “possibly from the plague.” Alexei Tsydenov asserted that “there are no plague outbreaks” in the neighboring republic.

The U.S. is Aware and Monitoring 

The White House administration said it was “aware, monitoring the outbreak, and assessing options.” A U.S. State Department spokesperson told CNN on Sunday that it is aware of the death of the researcher from the possible Pneumonic plague. 

“We are monitoring the situation closely with the CDC and our other interagency partners,” the spokesperson said. “Many details have not been confirmed. We encourage Russian authorities to share accurate information quickly and openly.”

Types of Plague

The Pneumonic plague is one of three types of plague that can be easily transferred from person to person. It is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and is contracted through respiratory particles.

The other two types of plague are commonly spread through contact with infected fleas, animals, or tissues. Patients who contract pneumonic plague often develop a fever, headache, and weakness. 

The plague is “a rapidly developing pneumonia with shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, and sometimes bloody or watery mucus,” according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Preventing The Spread

As a precaution, staff at an aluminum plant near the laboratory are wearing masks to prevent the spread. The director of Irkutsk Aluminum Plant, Artem Fominikh, noted: “There are many rumors and conflicting reports circulating.”

A previous head of Rospotrebnadzor, Gennady Onishchenko, said Friday he is not convinced that the infection is the plague. The outbreak in the Irkutsk region is “most likely not the plague, but even if confirmed, there will be no spread of this disease.”

Onishchenko also noted that the cold weather almost upon us will likely prevent the spread of whatever illness it might be.