🚨 Plague in Russia’s Irkutsk region: panic spreads after lab worker’s death
Residents of Shelekhov, where 28-year-old Daria Shipilova died in hospital overnight on October 2, say people in protective suits have appeared on the streets, while masks are reportedly being handed out even in kindergartens.
Because pneumonic plague can spread from person to person, strict anti-epidemic measures have now been introduced around the city.
There is growing alarm in Irkutsk as well: authorities and security officials held an emergency meeting, Rospotrebnadzor chief Anna Popova arrived in the region, and a city cleanup event was postponed.
Meanwhile, one Irkutsk resident posted a video putting on a plague doctor mask with the caption: “Ready for a trip to the store.”
⚠️ The plague has returned to Russia
In Russia’s Irkutsk region, an employee of an anti-plague institute died from the pneumonic form of plague. The hospital where she was treated was subsequently placed under quarantine.
Shortly before falling ill, the woman had returned from a work trip to Buryatia, where natural plague hotspots exist. Specialists are now investigating how exactly she became infected.
According to Mash, the institute employee may have accidentally broken a test tube containing hazardous material while working in a laboratory. She allegedly told doctors about the incident after being hospitalized.