Russia Calls Reports Of Second Plague Death ‘Fake News’ Amid Outbreak Concerns

Russia has refuted news reports that a second person has died from plague in Siberia, calling such claims false information. The saga began when a 28-year-old worker at Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute, which deals with especially dangerous infections, died of pneumonia of unknown cause, following which the world began to worry about a potential plague pandemic in Russia. Meanwhile, Russian authorities argue that no epidemic has occurred.

The laboratory worker, Daria Shipilova, died on October 2 as a result of complicated pneumonia of an unknown cause. The woman was employed at a scientific center specializing in plague and other dangerous diseases. Nevertheless, Russian authorities claim that no pathogens with which the infection could have occurred upon contact with the patient were detected.

Russia Denies Stories of Second Plague Death

After rumors appeared in the press that another person may have died as a result of complications compatible with pneumonic plague, a representative of the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov, declared that, in his opinion, a considerable part of the reports in the Russian press were false. Russian authorities have asked the Russian people to monitor Rospotrebnadzor, the Russian equivalent of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for information. According to Russian authorities, the results of nearly 5,000 tests carried out showed that among the people close to the dying woman, no pathogens were found that could cause an epidemic.

WHO Asks Russia to Provide Plague Information

However, despite the information received from Russia, WHO is asking for more details. WHO officials state that the source of infection is still unclear, and it is necessary to obtain information from Russian authorities on the specifics of laboratory tests, surveillance, and the condition of those who may have been infected.

In addition, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is observing the situation. According to the agency, there is no significant threat of infection since no cases of plague have been detected among the many people who were in contact with the patient.

What Does Pneumonic Plague Mean

Pneumonic plague is a complication of bubonic plague and is one of the most dangerous forms of the disease. Bubonic plague usually appears as a result of infection due to the activity of infected fleas. In turn, pneumonic plague damages the lungs, and infection occurs mainly through droplets of air. However, with timely and appropriate treatment, this type of contagion is treatable.

It is important to note that the appearance of a strange pneumonia in the person is not necessarily connected with pneumonic plague. Nevertheless, the situation is considered critical, as there is a fear that a pandemic with fatal consequences for health is going to happen.