FOREIGN NEWS SERVICE - As panic begins in the world after the death of a person suspected of having plague in Irkutsk, in the Siberian region of Russia, many countries are making decisions to increase measures and tighten controls.
'We will announce the report'
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the developments are being followed closely. In the statement, it was stated that the circumstances of this reported case have not yet been confirmed, and it was noted that pulmonary plague is a contagious disease from person to person through respiratory droplets during close contact. The US Embassy in Moscow called on US citizens in the region to follow the guidance of local health authorities.
'We will meet with Putin'
US President Donald Trump stated that he will meet with President Vladimir Putin very soon about the epidemic in Russia. When asked what the US intelligence agencies' assessment of the epidemic was, Trump said, "We are paying close attention to the issue so far. We will announce a report."
WHO requested information
The European Union (EU) also decided to hold an emergency meeting on the issue. Speaking to Euronews, the EU Commission spokesperson stated that the EU Health Safety Committee, which brings together the health ministry officials of the member countries, will meet on the issue.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasized that WHO maintains contact with Russian health authorities and offered technical support, and said, "Additional information has been requested from Russia."
Information flow is limited
The flow of information from Russia is extremely limited. Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that most of the news in the press regarding the epidemiological situation is "fake information" and stated that official statements should be taken into account.
'There is a cure for the plague, we are not afraid'
DİDEM SEYMEN - Experts evaluated the plague and possible epidemic claims to Milliyet. Professor of Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology and member of the Covid-19 Scientific Board. Dr. Serap Şimşek Yavuz said, "We take the statements of the World Health Organization as a reference. The World Health Organization has not made an epidemic statement yet. Pneumonic plague cannot be transmitted that easily. It cannot spread like Covid-19 and cannot come to Turkey in such a short time. Moreover, it is a disease that can be treated. That's why we are not afraid."
pneumonic plague
Specialist from the Department of Infectious Diseases at Medicana Kadıköy Hospital. Dr. Demet Yalçın said, "Pneumonic plague is a serious infection that can be transmitted through breathing, but transmission does not occur easily to everyone in the environment like an ordinary cold or flu. Close contact with the cough and respiratory secretions of the infected person is important. Therefore, there is no reason for everyone returning from Russia to Turkey to wear a mask on the plane or postpone their travel."
'Quarantine for close contact'
Stating that the approach changes when there is close contact with a suspected or confirmed case, Yalçın said, "In such a case, infection control measures such as the use of masks, isolation and contact tracing become important." Yalçın said, "The quarantine decision is made as a result of the person's contact history, clinical findings and necessary medical evaluation. Therefore, it is not possible to quarantine everyone who returned from Russia just because they sneezed."
What are the symptoms?
Specialist Dr. Demet Yalçın also pointed out the importance of people who have been in a risky area, had close contact with a suspected or confirmed case, and subsequently developed symptoms such as fever, significant weakness, cough or shortness of breath, to contact the health institution and share their travel and contact stories.
'The mode of transmission is different'
Infectious Diseases Specialist Dr. Rabia Aslı Özer also pointed out that the mode of transmission of plague varies depending on the form of the disease, and the importance of close contact, especially when it comes to pneumonic plague. Özer said, "Plague is caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis. Bubonic plague, which is the most common form of plague, is usually transmitted by the bite of infected fleas. Lung plague, that is, pneumonic plague, can be transmitted through breathing, especially by ingestion of droplets produced by the patient's cough or sneezing during close contact. However, this does not mean the same as respiratory infections caused by viruses and can spread very quickly in the society."
'It is possible to move'
According to Özer, the current situation does not present a situation that requires alarm for Türkiye for now. Emphasizing that it is theoretically possible for infections to be carried between countries due to international travel, but for this to happen, an infection spreading in the society must first be found, Özer said, "We do not have such data at the moment."
Measures increased anxiety
Concerns about the epidemic began when a 28-year-old woman named Daria Shipilova, who worked at the plague research center in Siberia, died as a result of a suspicious infection on Friday, October 2. While the news that the rare infectious disease may have leaked from the laboratory quickly spread, it was claimed that another death had occurred. While Russian authorities initially confirmed that the woman's death was plague-related, they later denied the link. However, the harsh measures taken in Irkutsk attracted attention and increased concerns.
