On September 29, Shipilova was admitted to the institute after she broke a test tube containing live Yersinia pestis while collecting samples. She developed severe pneumonia, was placed on a ventilator, and succumbed to the infection on October 1.
Governor Igor Kobzev confirmed the case was pneumonia of unknown etiology and that no plague‑associated microorganisms were detected in her samples. He met with the chief of Rospotrebnadzor to launch full anti‑epidemic measures, including daily laboratory testing of all contacts.
Buryatia governor Alexei Tsydenov noted that no plague outbreaks were reported in his region, but acknowledged a possible death in neighbouring Irkutsk. Rospotrebnadzor will monitor the situation and will decide when to lift hospital closures and quarantine restrictions.