Worker of the Plague Research Institute Died in Irkutsk, 200 People were Taken under Surveillance

The death of a laboratory worker in the Irkutsk region of Russia and the precautions taken on suspicion of plague caused concern.

According to Russian state news agency TASS, the incident occurred at the plague research institute. While it was reported that 200 people were kept under medical supervision, Russia's public health agency Rospotrebnadzor announced that the epidemiological situation in the region was stable.

It was stated that the person who lost her life was Darya Şipilova, an employee of the Irkutsk Plague Research Institute. The 28-year-old laboratory worker died on the night of October 2 in the intensive care unit of the hospital in Shelehov. While it was claimed that the death was caused by plague, Rospotrebnadzor stated that Sipilova was diagnosed with pneumonia of unknown origin.

CLAIM THAT THE TEST TUBE IS BROKEN

According to reports in local media, it was claimed that Şipilova accidentally broke a test tube containing the plague agent while working in the laboratory.

The commission examining the biosafety rules at the institute announced that there was no finding that any accidents occurred while working with pathogenic microorganisms. The institution stated that this result was also approved by the appointed expert commission.

200 PEOPLE UNDER SUPERVISION, 5 HOSPITALS CLOSED

According to local broadcasters, approximately 200 people who may have come into contact with the laboratory worker were kept under surveillance at the hospital, and an additional 5 hospitals were closed due to quarantine.

Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev announced that an extraordinary anti-epidemic meeting was held due to suspicion of a dangerous infection. In the aluminum factory near the laboratory, employees were asked to wear masks as a precaution.