A 28‑year‑old laboratory technician in Irkutsk, Russia, died late last week, sparking fears that she had contracted the deadly pneumonic plague while handling a broken test tube.
Rospotrebnadzor, Russia’s consumer and health watchdog, conducted post‑mortem tests on the deceased and found no bacterial traces linked to her work. The official conclusion was that the cause was pneumonia of undetermined etiology, not plague.
Governor Igor Kobzev announced that the region’s sanitary‑epidemiological status remains stable and that no other staff at the anti‑plague institute have sought medical care since the incident. He emphasized that the situation is under control and urged people to rely on official statements.
Health officials advise anyone with persistent cough, fever, or breathing difficulties to seek medical attention promptly. Workers handling pathogens should continue to follow strict safety protocols to prevent lab‑related infections.