The return of the Black Death? Lab worker dies, 200 people placed in quarantine

A 28-year-old lab worker at a plague research institute in Irkutsk, Siberia, died of pneumonic plague after a test tube containing the bacteria broke. The hospital where she was treated was placed under quarantine, and about 200 people who came into contact with her were isolated. Local authorities canceled public events and opened a criminal investigation.

A 28-year-old lab worker at the Plague Research Institute in Irkutsk, Siberia, died of pneumonic plague after a test tube containing the Yersinia pestis bacteria broke during her work on September 25. She was hospitalized four days later with severe pneumonia at a hospital in the nearby town of Shelekhov, and died two days after that. The hospital was placed under quarantine, and at least 197 people who came into contact with her were placed under medical isolation, including over 100 patients. Local authorities canceled public events in Irkutsk and opened a criminal investigation into suspected safety violations that led to the death. The regional antibiotic supply was depleted, prompting concerned residents to seek medical help. Anna Popova, head of the Russian public health watchdog, traveled from Moscow to the area. Epidemiologist Mikhail Favarov challenged the claim that a broken test tube caused the infection, calling it evidence of a possible cover-up attempt.