SIBERIA. — A 28-year-old laboratory worker at Russia's Irkutsk anti-plague institute has died following possible exposure to plague, with about 200 people who had contact with her placed under medical supervision. Darya Shipilova died on two October after developing severe pneumonia. Her death is currently being described by Russian authorities as pneumonia of unknown origin, while local and international reports are investigating a possible case of plague.
According to reports, Shipilova possibly broke a test tube containing the bacterium that causes plague on 25 September while working at the institute. This version has not been officially confirmed, however. The Russian health authority, Rospotrebnadzor, says extensive investigations have so far found no micro-organisms linked to her occupational exposure. The incident has led to tightened prevention measures in the Irkutsk region. Five hospitals have been placed in quarantine, while people who may have been exposed to the deceased are being monitored. A mask measure has also been implemented at the Irkutsk aluminium facility. Plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, affects the lungs and spreads through respiratory droplets. The World Health Organization warns that it can rapidly become serious, but that it is treatable with appropriate antibiotics if treatment begins early.
The situation in Siberia is being monitored, with focus on the people who may have been exposed to Shipilova and the determination of the precise cause of her illness and death.
Sources: People, The Moscow Times, World Health Organization ,The Indian Express, Al Jazeera
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
