US closely monitoring case of lab worker who ‘possibly’ died of plague in Siberia, says Rubio
Darya Shipilova, a 28-year-old employee at an anti-plague institute in Irkutsk, became sick at work and died two days later, on 2 October. Reports have linked her illness to an accident at the research facility.
Rubio said the information released by Russia suggested a laboratory worker may have contracted plague, with concern about possible spread inside the institute. Her cause of death has not been confirmed publicly.
Russian officials have issued inconsistent statements: Buryatia’s head first said Shipilova died of plague, then revised that to say she may have had the disease. Baikalsk authorities briefly advised against travel to nearby areas, then removed the notice.
Reports say the institute was locked down and several Irkutsk hospitals introduced quarantine measures. Visitors have reportedly been restricted, while patients and staff have faced limits on leaving some facilities.
Russia’s chief sanitary official, Anna Popova, travelled to Irkutsk. Regional governor Igor Kobzev said identified contacts were under medical observation, none had symptoms, and tests had come back negative. Authorities have urged residents to stay calm.
Key points
- Shipilova died after becoming ill at an anti-plague institute in Irkutsk.
- Her cause of death remains uncertain, and public statements by officials have differed.
- Hospitals and the institute have reportedly adopted precautionary restrictions; identified contacts are being monitored.