Researcher at Russian plague laboratory dies of 'unknown' infection
4 hours ago
- A laboratory accident at the Anti-Plague Research Institute in Shelekhov, Siberia, resulted in a suspected release of a dangerous infection, leading to the death of a 28-year-old female researcher from pneumonia of unknown origin.
- Russian authorities, including Rospotrebnadzor and local officials, state the situation is stable, with no confirmed plague outbreaks, and that all close contacts are under medical supervision with negative test results.
- Quarantine has been imposed in at least one maternity hospital, and nearly 200 people are under observation; a nearby aluminum plant issued masks as a precaution.
- Officials differ on the cause: some suggest possible plague, but former Rospotrebnadzor head Onishchenko said it is likely not plague and cold weather would prevent transmission.
- Pneumonic plague, if confirmed, is easily treatable with antibiotics, but it can spread person-to-person via respiratory particles.