Nearly 200 people have been placed under medical observation in Siberia following the death of a laboratory worker at an anti-plague research institute, while Russian authorities have not confirmed that she died from plague. Medical facilities in the region have also been placed under quarantine as officials investigate the circumstances surrounding the death and monitor people who may have been exposed.

The deceased worker was identified as 28-year-old Daria Shipilova, a laboratory assistant at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East. Local reports said she may have broken a test tube containing bacteria while working at the facility. Russian media have reported that she may have contracted pneumonic plague, but the cause of her death has not been officially confirmed by health authorities.

Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev said none of the people currently under observation had developed symptoms. He also said that tests conducted so far had returned negative results. The monitoring measures have been put in place as a precaution while authorities assess the potential risk of infection and continue medical checks on people who may have had contact with the laboratory worker or the facility.

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Russia’s public health agency has described the situation in the region as stable. The reported death has nevertheless attracted international attention because of the possibility of exposure to plague bacteria at a specialised research facility. Pneumonic plague can affect the lungs and can spread through respiratory droplets, making suspected exposure a matter requiring rapid medical assessment and monitoring.

The case is also being watched by US authorities. A Trump administration official told Axios that the White House was monitoring developments surrounding the incident. Health expert Ashish K. Jha also expressed concern in a series of posts on X, saying Russia should provide more information about the situation. However, several details surrounding the incident remain unverified, including whether Shipilova actually contracted plague.

For now, Russian authorities have not publicly confirmed a plague diagnosis or established the cause of the laboratory worker’s death. The nearly 200 people under observation have reportedly shown no symptoms and have tested negative so far. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation while medical facilities remain under precautionary measures and further information about the incident is assessed.

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