Plague death triggers quarantine, mask mandates in Russia's Irkutsk region
4 hours ago
- A lab technician in Irkutsk, Russia, died after accidentally breaking a test tube containing pneumonic plague bacteria.
- The Irkutsk Aluminum Plant imposed a mask mandate for employees in response to the plague case.
- Several hospitals in Irkutsk city closed for a three-week quarantine due to the outbreak.
- Russian officials have been evasive and inconsistent, initially deleting warnings and editing statements about the plague.
- The incident echoes previous efforts by Russian authorities to downplay health risks, such as a cattle epidemic earlier in 2023.