Russia Denies Implementing Health Measures After Reports of a Woman's Death from the Plague

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The Public Health Agency in Russia denied reports today, Tuesday, regarding the implementation of health measures in the Irkutsk region of Siberia, following the death of a laboratory employee at a plague control institute.

The regional public health agency stated in a message posted on the Telegram app: "False information is circulating online regarding the status of an enhanced epidemic health system and the imposition of strict restrictions in the Irkutsk region." It added, "As of now, no such decision has been made."

It pointed out that "the health and epidemiological situation in the Irkutsk region, as well as in the cities of Irkutsk and Shelekhov, is stable."

A state of concern arose after reports published on Friday indicated the death of Daria Shibelova, a 28-year-old who worked at a plague control institute in the Irkutsk region of Siberia, due to her infection with the disease.

The news site "People of Baikal" reported, citing unnamed sources close to the security agencies in the region, that she may have contracted pneumonic plague due to a broken test tube.

Russian authorities downplayed concerns about any spread of infection.

Igor Kobzev, the governor of the Irkutsk region, stated on Monday that a special committee of experts conducted an investigation in the area and concluded that "the cause of death is an unknown cause of pneumonia."

He added in a post on Telegram that the Russian consumer protection and health watchdog "Rospotrebnadzor" concluded after conducting tests that "no microorganisms related to her professional work were found in the young woman's biological samples."

He noted that since the young woman's death, "no new cases have been recorded among employees at the plague control institute who sought medical care."

He confirmed that the health and epidemiological situation in Irkutsk is "stable," adding, "The situation is still under our control and the control of experts."

Plague is a bacterial disease that can appear in several forms, including pneumonic plague, which is the most contagious form. Pneumonic plague can be fatal if not treated early, according to the World Health Organization.

For its part, the World Health Organization announced on Tuesday that the risk is "low" for Russia and "very low" for Europe, following an "initial risk assessment."

This issue has garnered significant attention from the United States, with President Donald Trump stating on Monday, "We are looking into it seriously," adding, "We will help them, we will help them as much as we can."

In response, the Russian public health agency stated on Tuesday that Moscow is ready to assist Washington in controlling the outbreak of infectious diseases in the United States, particularly referring to recent cases of such diseases, including measles and a fatal case of plague.

In June, it was announced that a conference on plague and other infectious diseases would be held, bringing together experts from several former Soviet republics in Irkutsk on October 21 and 22.

The conference will focus on epidemiological surveillance, international cooperation, and health protection, according to its website, which has not yet detailed the exact program.