Russia says no work-linked pathogen found after Irkutsk lab worker dies
Russian authorities said tests found no microorganisms linked to a laboratory worker's job after she died with pneumonia of unknown cause in Siberia. Nearly 200 possible contacts were placed under observation or isolation as a precaution, according to Russian and international reports.
Rospotrebnadzor,Russia's national public health and consumer protection agency identified the woman as an employee of the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute, Al Jazeera reported on October 5. The agency said wider testing did not detect microorganisms associated with her professional work.
Rospotrebnadzor also said no accident involving pathogenic microorganisms was recorded at the institute, according to Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty. It described conditions in Irkutsk and nearby Shelekhov as stable.
These official statements differ from accounts published by regional media. The Moscow Times and The Independent cited reports that the 28-year-old worker said she had broken a test tube containing live biological samples.
The woman was admitted with severe pneumonia, placed on a ventilator and died on October 2, the two outlets reported. Russian authorities have not publicly confirmed that a test tube broke, Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty reported.
The Moscow Times said 197 possible contacts were placed under medical isolation, including more than 100 people in hospital wards. Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev said identified contacts had no symptoms and their laboratory tests were negative.
The Independent reported quarantine measures at the Shelekhov district hospital, a maternity facility and a nearby aluminium plant. It also said Russian law enforcement had reportedly opened a criminal investigation into possible workplace safety violations.
Alexei Tsydenov, head of neighbouring Buryatia, said the woman may have died from plague, according to Al Jazeera. He also said there were no plague outbreaks in Buryatia, The Moscow Times reported.
Media reports have suggested pneumonic plague, but Russian authorities have not confirmed that diagnosis. Rospotrebnadzor has publicly described the illness as pneumonia of unknown cause, leaving the pathogen undetermined.
A United States State Department official told Al Jazeera that Washington was monitoring reports of suspected pneumonic plague with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The official said many details remained unconfirmed and urged Russian authorities to share accurate information quickly.
Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty said there was no publicly confirmed evidence of wider transmission in Irkutsk. It also noted that quarantine and monitoring measures alone do not establish that the worker had plague or that an outbreak occurred.
