Mystery Pneumonia death sparks alert in Russia
A 28-year-old researcher working at an anti-plague institute in Siberia has died after developing severe pneumonia, prompting Russian authorities to place nearly 200 people under medical observation and introduce precautionary measures.
However, Russian authorities have not confirmed any link between the death and plague.
Russia’s public-health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, has reportedly described the illness as pneumonia of unknown cause. The agency also said that no microorganisms associated with the researcher’s professional activities were detected in her body.
The case has nevertheless raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the illness and the level of transparency surrounding the incident.
The researcher, identified in reports as Darya Shipilova, was reportedly admitted to hospital on September 29 after developing severe pneumonia. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, and she was placed on a ventilator. She died two days later.
According to reports by the Daily Mail, Shipilova was working at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute. She reportedly told medical staff that she had accidentally broken a test tube containing live bacteria.
Shipilova is also reported to have fallen ill while on a field expedition in neighbouring Buryatia, near Russia’s border with Mongolia. She was subsequently transferred to Shelekhov Hospital for treatment.
Following her death, authorities moved quickly to identify and monitor people who may have come into contact with her.
Unofficial reports cited by CNN, including information from the independent regional outlet Liudi Baikala, said nearly 200 people were placed under quarantine at Shelekhov Hospital, where Shipilova had been treated.
The Daily Mail further reported that three hospitals in the region were placed under quarantine measures.
Despite the precautionary response, Russian authorities have so far not confirmed that plague or any other pathogen linked to the researcher’s work was responsible for her illness. The exact cause of the severe pneumonia remains unclear.
