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Plague Quarantine Lifted Amid Scientist Death Mystery
9 Oct
Summary
- Quarantine lifted one week after researcher allegedly died of plague.
- Mother claims lab accident impossible, questions official cause of death.
- Russia denies new cases, labels social media rumors as 'fake'.
Russia has lifted a quarantine imposed after a researcher's death, reportedly from plague, just seven days prior. The Irkutsk Region governor, Igor Kobzev, declared the health emergency over, stating that thousands of tests were conducted and no related health issues were found among close contacts. He referred to the deceased, Darya Shipilova, with neutral terms, drawing criticism for a lack of sympathy or acknowledgement of her work.
Shipilova, 28, died on October 2nd following an alleged incident where a test tube containing live bacteria broke at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute. Her mother disputes this, asserting it's impossible for a test tube to break that way and implying foul play. Despite international concern and social media rumors of a second case, Russian authorities deny further infections and label online information as "fake."
While Russia denies the researcher contracted the plague, her work involved the Yersinia pestis bacterium. The incident led to nearly 200 contacts being quarantined and 5,000 tests performed. Governor Kobzev framed the resolution as a victory for the current regime, despite pressure from international health organizations.
