Has plague returned to Siberia? Panic in Russia after death of lab worker

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Russian Lab Worker Dies Amid Pneumonic Plague Fears in Siberia

   Russian authorities are monitoring nearly 200 people after a female staff member at an anti-plague institute in the Irkutsk region died. While some reports link the death to pneumonic plague following a broken test tube, Rospotrebnadzor states the woman died of pneumonia of unknown origin and claims the situation is stable. Over 60 colleagues remain isolated in the building and some hospitals are closed. The White House and U.S. State Department are monitoring the situation, and Russia has rejected an offer of support from Donald Trump.

   Why it matters

   The Irkutsk facility specializes in studying the plague and other infectious diseases. Pneumonic plague is a severe form of the disease that affects the lungs and can spread between humans. This incident has triggered public panic and diplomatic tension between Russia and the United States.

   What is confirmed

   • A female staff member at an anti-plague institute in the Irkutsk region has died.
   • Nearly 200 people have been placed under observation or isolated following the death.
   • Rospotrebnadzor diagnosed the deceased with pneumonia of unknown origin.
   • The White House and the U.S. State Department are monitoring reports of the suspected outbreak.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The worker died after a test tube broke.
   • The patient died specifically of pneumonic plague.
   • Several hospitals in the region have closed without explanation.

   What to watch next

   • Official autopsy results confirming or ruling out Yersinia pestis
   • Updates on the status of the 60 isolated colleagues
   • Further diplomatic responses regarding U.S. offers of medical aid
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. The Moscow Times — Nearly 200 People Under Observation After Irkutsk Lab Worker Dies From Plague
   2. Meduza — Hospital in Russia’s Irkutsk region quarantined amid reports that a patient died of pneumonic plague
   3. Outbreak News Today — Russia: 189 people under observation after lab worker dies of possible pneumonic plague
   4. People.com — Woman Dies of Suspected Plague Infection, Nearly 200 People Hospitalized After Exposure
   5. Ynetnews — Mystery in Siberia: anti-plague lab worker dies after test tube breaks, nearly 200 isolated
   6. Euronews.com — Has plague returned to Siberia? Panic after lab worker's death
   7. Axios — Scoop: White House monitors suspected plague outbreak in Russia
   8. WAVY.com — State Department monitoring reports of suspected plague death in Russia
   9. www.euronews.com — Has plague returned to Siberia? Panic in Russia after death of lab worker
   10. gall.dcinside.com — 속보… 시베리아 연구원 감염…..사망 - 미국 주식 마이너 갤러리
   11. economictimes.indiatimes.com — Russian plague lab researcher dies of pneumonia of ‘unknown’ origin, nearly 200 under observation
   12. www.ctvnews.ca — Russian researcher at plague lab dies of ‘unknown’ infection
   confidence 80%