The Russian government has sought to downplay worries following media reports concerning the death of a female scientist from the plague in Siberia. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized relying on official information from Rospotrebnadzor, Russia’s state health watchdog. He urged the public to heed the agency’s advice, given its expertise in health matters.
The deceased scientist, identified as 28-year-old Darya Shipilova, worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute, located over 2,500 miles from Moscow. Initial reports suggested that Shipilova accidentally broke a test tube containing plague bacteria, leading to severe pneumonia and her subsequent death. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed her death from severe pneumonia during the night of October 2.
The bacterium in question is yersinia pestis, notorious for causing the Black Death, which devastated Europe in the 14th century, killing millions. The bubonic plague spread through fleas on rodents. If untreated, it causes significant health issues like swelling, fever, and even death. A microscopic image shows yersinia pestis, responsible for causing human plague infections.
Shipilova reportedly died from pneumonic plague, which is caused by yersinia pestis but targets the lungs, leading to coughing and fever.
Unlike bubonic plague, pneumonic plague spreads from person to person and can be fatal. Initially, Alexei Tsydenov, head of Russia’s Republic of Buryatia, stated Shipilova died of the plague through a post, later adding the word “possibly” upon revision. Regional news outlets in exile reported on these developments, noting various officials retracted or altered their statements.
Warnings were initially issued to avoid Shelekhov, the town where Shipilova was hospitalized. The advisory was quickly retracted, as confirmed by independence media outlets Lyudi Baikala and Astra. In response, Rospotrebnadzor tested nearly 200 individuals who had contact with Shipilova. The agency reported several positive tests for colds or COVID, but no dangerous pathogens were detected. No lab incident occurred at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute per its report, attributing Shipilova’s death to “pneumonia of unknown origin.”
A WHO official indicated that the health threat to the wider public appears minimal based on available information. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked that although the alleged plague case is not alarm-worthy, it warrants attention. He stressed, “We know what we know, obviously, about whatever the Russians have provided.” He added that, due to “very limited travel between the U.S. and Russia,” the scenario merits focus but not alarm.
Jennifer Jacobs contributed additional reporting.
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