Laboratory worker dies in Irkutsk, Russia; authorities put out fire over plague infection

MOSCOW [AFP Current Affairs] It was reported that a 28-year-old woman working at a plague countermeasures institute died this month in Irkutsk Oblast in Eastern Siberia, Russia, causing ripples both domestically and internationally. On the 5th, Russian authorities claimed that no plague bacteria was detected in the woman's sample, and are now working hard to put out the fire.

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Independent media outlet Baikal People earlier reported that the woman may have contracted the plague after a test tube broke. Approximately 200 people believed to have come into contact with the virus have been quarantined.

In response, Governor Kobzev posted on the communication app Telegram on the 5th that the woman died of pneumonia of unknown cause. Citing test results released by the Consumer Rights Protection and Welfare Supervision Agency, he said the public health situation is "stable." Presidential Spokesperson Peskov also emphasized, ``We should trust official announcements, not rumors and speculation.''