Lab Technician Dies of Pneumonic Plague in Irkutsk, Hundreds Quarantined

A 28‑year‑old laboratory technician in Irkutsk has died after contracting pneumonic plague, officials said Friday. The woman was identified as Darya Shipilova, who worked for the Irkutsk Anti‑Plague Institute. Local outlet People of Baikal reported she may have been infected when a test tube broke, exposing her to the bacteria. Around 200 people who had contact with her were placed under quarantine, though details of the quarantine were not given. No immediate comment came from Russia’s health ministry and AFP could not verify the reports. Alexei Tsydenov, governor of the neighbouring Buryatia region, had earlier posted on social media that a woman in Irkutsk had died of plague. The World Health Organization notes that pneumonic plague spreads easily between people and can be fatal if not treated promptly. ## Context Pneumonic plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and spreads through respiratory droplets, making rapid treatment and isolation critical to prevent wider outbreaks.