The incident occurred at the Anti-Plague Research Institute in Shelekhov, near the Irkutsk region, according to state news agency TASS on 4/10. The Russian Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare Surveillance Service (Rospotrebnadzor) reported that the victim, a laboratory technician, died after being diagnosed with pneumonia of "unknown cause."

While the agency has not identified the exact pathogen involved, the Russian news site Baza's Telegram channel suggested the victim "may have died from pneumonic plague." If confirmed, this would mark the first case of plague in Irkutsk province in a decade.

Before falling ill, the researcher had traveled to the Republic of Buryatia, a region bordering Mongolia, which has recorded natural plague foci with ground squirrels as the primary disease carriers.

At the victim's workplace, the only close contact colleague tested negative for the pathogen. Medical experts are continuing to investigate the cause of infection and implement necessary epidemic prevention measures.

Rospotrebnadzor affirmed that the sanitary and epidemiological situation in Irkutsk province, as well as the cities of Irkutsk and Shelekhov, remains stable. The agency confirmed that special measures were activated immediately after the incident.

Illustrative photo: Irkobl.ru

Alexei Tsydenov, Head of the Republic of Buryatia, also stated that the victim "may have died from plague," but asserted that Buryatia currently has no outbreak.

To proactively control the situation, Irkutsk province Governor, Igor Kobzev, chaired an emergency meeting of the regional Epidemic Prevention Committee with the Chief Epidemiologist of Russia. On Telegram, Kobzev urged residents to remain calm, stating that the meeting focused on addressing "a suspected infection with a particularly dangerous infectious pathogen in a local resident."

In the local area, an aluminum plant near the laboratory instructed all staff to wear masks as a precaution. Plant director, Artem Fominikh, reassured the public, noting that those in close contact are undergoing medical monitoring and have tested negative.

Meanwhile, according to independent local news agency Liudi Baikala, nearly 200 people were quarantined at a hospital in Shelekhov, where the laboratory technician had been taken. Liudi Baikala also reported that at least one maternity hospital in the city had implemented quarantine measures.

Commenting on the incident, former head of Rospotrebnadzor, Gennady Onishchenko, suggested that this case "is likely not plague. Even if confirmed, the disease is unlikely to spread due to the upcoming cold weather, which will help limit transmission risk."

Medically, pneumonic plague is one of three forms of the disease caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria. Unlike the other two forms, which are primarily transmitted via fleas or contact with infected animals, pneumonic plague can easily spread from person to person through the respiratory tract. Pneumonic plague causes fever, headache, weakness, and rapidly progressive pneumonia, accompanied by symptoms such as coughing blood or mucus.

The incident has also attracted international attention. A representative from the US Department of State stated they are coordinating with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to closely monitor the situation, while urging Russia to promptly share public and accurate information. The US Department of Health and Human Services emphasized that ensuring the safety of US citizens remains a top priority.

The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that while plague has a high mortality rate, it is fully treatable with antibiotics if detected early and appropriate infection control measures are applied.

Binh Minh (via CNN, TASS)