WASHINGTON—The United States is closely monitoring the health situation in Siberia, Russia, following the death of a worker at a plague research institute and the placement of approximately 200 people under medical observation.
The State Department confirmed it is closely following
reports of a possible fatal case of pneumonic plague in the Irkutsk region and
noted that it is coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) and other US agencies.
"We are aware of reports of a fatal case of suspected
pneumonic plague in the Irkutsk region," a State Department spokesperson
said, adding that many details have not yet been confirmed and urging Russian
authorities to share accurate information quickly and transparently.
The worker, identified as 28-year-old Darya Shipilova,
worked at the Irkutsk Plague Research Institute in Siberia. She died after
developing severe pneumonia.
Reports circulating in Russian media suggest there may have
been an incident involving a tube containing pneumonic plague bacteria.
However, Russian health authorities have not confirmed a leak or that the woman
contracted plague through her work.
The Russian consumer protection agency Rospotrebnadzor
stated that no accidents related to the handling of pathogenic microorganisms
were detected at the institute and indicated that the woman died of pneumonia,
the cause of which has not yet been determined.
However, approximately 200 people are under observation.