Researcher dies after suspected infection at Russian anti-plague institute

The reported incident occurred at the Anti-Plague Research Institute in Shelekhov, near Irkutsk, Siberia. The available account says a suspected dangerous infection was released in a laboratory accident, but does not identify the substance. [1][2]

One laboratory worker, described as a 28-year-old woman, reportedly died after being diagnosed with pneumonia of unknown origin. The cause of the illness and the circumstances of any release remained unresolved. [1][2]

Alexei Tsydenov, head of the neighboring republic of Buryatia, said the employee had possibly died from plague and also said there were no plague outbreaks in Buryatia. The account does not establish plague as the cause. [1][2]

Rospotrebnadzor, Russia’s agency for infectious-disease oversight, was said to be responding, but the reporting did not specify what material was released or provide confirmed evidence of wider transmission. [1][2]

The director of a nearby Irkutsk aluminum plant said rumors and conflicting reports were circulating. The plant told staff to wear masks as a precaution, while former Rospotrebnadzor chief Gennady Onishchenko said the infection was most likely not plague. [1][2]