Russian officials announced that Irkutsk is lifting epidemic prevention measures

The Russian Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection and Public Welfare Supervision issued a notice on the 7th saying that the current epidemic prevention situation in Irkutsk Region, which recently reported a case of "pneumonia of unknown origin", is stable and there is no health risk. The state's capital Irkutsk City is lifting relevant preventive measures.

Recently, it was reported on the Internet that a staff member of the Siberian and Far Eastern Plague Prevention Institute in Irkutsk was infected with plague and died. The Russian Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection and Public Welfare Supervision said on the 6th that a sick staff member working at the institute was diagnosed with "unexplained pneumonia."

The Russian Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection and Public Welfare Supervision announced on the 7th that as of that day, more than 90% of the people who had been in contact with the patient had completed medical observation, and no health problems related to infectious pathology were found. Nearly 5,000 laboratory test results showed that no dangerous pathogenic microorganisms were found. Both committees responsible for overseeing the implementation of biosafety requirements confirmed that no accidents occurred while the institute was carrying out work related to disease-causing microorganisms.

The notice said the sick staff member had been vaccinated against dangerous infectious diseases related to their work and was immune. After learning about his illness, comprehensive epidemic prevention measures were taken immediately in accordance with relevant health laws. In accordance with the International Medical and Health Regulations, the Russian Federal Service for Consumer Protection and Supervision of Public Welfare has informed the World Health Organization of the relevant situation.

According to a previous post on social media by World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the patient died on October 2 after being hospitalized for severe pneumonia. WHO has been actively following up on the death since it was first reported by the media.