28-Year-Old Laboratory Technician Dies of Suspected Pneumonic Plague in Russia

Moscow: A 28-year-old laboratory technician has died of plague in Russia. Darya Shipilova, a researcher and technician at the Anti-Plague Research Institute in Shelekhov, died after reportedly contracting pneumonic plague when a test tube containing live bacteria broke during research.

Following the incident, five hospitals were reportedly closed and more than 200 people were placed under quarantine, according to local media reports. Shipilova was admitted to hospital on September 29 with severe symptoms of pneumonia and died on October 1.

Authorities said people who had been in contact with her were identified and tested. Public events were also reportedly cancelled in Irkutsk.

Meanwhile, Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev said no microorganisms that cause plague had been detected in the patient's samples. He also said no cases of infection had been reported among other employees of the institute.

What is pneumonic plague?

Plague is a highly dangerous infectious disease that can affect both humans and animals. It can spread through the bite of an infected flea and through contact with infected animals.

Pneumonic plague is the most dangerous form of the disease. Severe respiratory symptoms such as breathing difficulties, coughing and bloody sputum can develop rapidly. The infection can also spread from an infected person to others through respiratory droplets.

Pneumonic plague can be fatal if left untreated. However, the chances of recovery are higher when the disease is diagnosed early and treatment is started promptly, particularly within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms.