Russian lab worker dies of suspected plague as hundreds placed in quarantine
www.independent.co.uk
Darya Shipilova is said to have been exposed to the pathogen while working at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia

Darya Shipilova is said to have been exposed to the pathogen while working at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia

Hundreds of people have been placed into quarantine in Siberia after a laboratory worker died of suspected plague, according to reports.

Darya Shipilova, an employee at the Anti-Plague Research Institute in Shelekhov, was exposed to the bacteria after she accidentally broke a test tube containing the pathogen while she was collecting samples, the Kyiv Independent reported.

She was hospitalised on 29 September with severe pneumonia of "unknown origin” and placed on a ventilator, but died shortly after.

Independent Russian outlet Lyudi Baikal reported that several hospitals in the city of Irkutsk had closed for a three-week quarantine.

  • Allero@lemmy.todayEnglish
    1·
    8 days ago

    For all folks concerned of massive epidemic:

    • The people who contacted her after the incident are isolated, the hospital quarantined
    • Yes, there is a vaccine. People are not commonly vaccinated because plague is very rare nowadays, but they can be as needed.
    • It can be cured by antibiotics. Care needs to be prompt though, and that’s what Daria very recklessly missed. Fatal mistake for someone who oopsied in a pathogen lab.

    Also, to those concerned that this is a biological weapon lab:

    • This would be the most stupid and inefficient biological weapon. Again, we have the vaccine AND the cure.
    • Disease research institutes are a normal thing throughout the world. We need them to efficiently combat outbreaks should they ever reappear.