Global Plague Scare in Russia After Lab Worker Dies

A health scare has emerged in Russia after a laboratory worker at an institute specialising in dangerous infectious diseases died from a mysterious form of pneumonia, prompting authorities to quarantine and monitor around 200 people.

The 28-year-old woman worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia, a facility that handles dangerous pathogens including Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for plague.

Her death has triggered international attention amid concerns that she may have been exposed to the bacteria while working at the facility.

Russian authorities have not confirmed that the woman died from plague, describing her illness as pneumonia of unknown origin. Authorities have also said there is currently no evidence that an accident involving dangerous pathogens occurred at the laboratory.

Around 200 people who may have had contact with the woman have reportedly been placed under medical observation as a precaution.

Plague can appear in several forms, including bubonic and pneumonic plague. Pneumonic plague is particularly concerning because it affects the lungs and can spread between people through respiratory droplets during close contact.

However, no secondary cases of plague have so far been confirmed.

The World Health Organization has assessed the risk to the wider population as low based on currently available information.

Plague was responsible for some of the deadliest pandemics in human history, including the Black Death, but the disease can now be successfully treated with antibiotics when identified early.

Investigations into the woman’s death are continuing, with health authorities watching closely for any evidence of further infections.

(Pictured is a wax figure showing the impacts of the plague on humans)