Skip to content 
Uh, WHAT is going on in Russia?!
A worker at a pest control laboratory has died after developing pneumonia of unknown origin, and nearly 200 people who came into contact with her have been placed under medical observation. That’s definitely enough to get people’s attention!
Related: What police found at the scene of Ken Urker’s sudden death
According to information from Russian officials and media reports, the woman worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and the Far East. Regional Governor Igor Kobev A test said no microorganisms linked to her professional activities were found in her body, and officials say there were no new illnesses among other lab workers.
Kobev said:
“The sanitary-epidemiological situation [in the area] stable now.”
Meanwhile, the inpatient facility where the worker was treated was placed under quarantine. Russian media have reported that nearly 200 people who came into contact with her are being monitored medically. Russian outlets have identified the woman as 28 years old, FYI, although officials have not confirmed those details.
But whatever, now the international questions are getting louder! A US Department of State a spokesperson said:
“Many details have not been confirmed. We encourage the Russian authorities to share accurate information promptly and openly.”
The speaker was referring to reports of a fatal case of suspected pneumonic plague in the Irkutsk region.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said:
“[Despite there being] very little travel between the US and Russia, if something like that comes out, it could spread quickly. “
Rubio said the United States is “watching and monitoring it very closely.” He said:
“I don’t think it’s a cause for alarm, but it’s a cause for focus and just a reason to keep an eye on it.”
The World Health Organization says he is aware of reports that a lab worker died after severe pneumonia, but stressed that no official cause of death has been determined – and it is only the plague suspected at this time, and it has not been confirmed.
Related: 7-year-old Chicago girl stabbed to death by complete stranger in broad daylight
In the meantime, Kremlin a speaker Dmitry Peskov he said the Russians should rely on official information from the internal investigation agency Rospotrebnadzor rather than rumors and speculation. Peskov said:
“It is their official statements that should be relied on – rather than paying attention to various rumors, speculations, and the like. Rospotrebnadzor employs highly qualified professionals in this field, so pay attention to their official statements.”
Meanwhile, the White House’s former COVID response coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha says more information and transparency is needed. However, he noted that pneumonic plague can be difficult to spread between people and said that a larger outbreak or global pandemic is highly unlikely if this remains an isolated case.
Jha said:
“We might see a few more people get infected, but the chance of this becoming a larger outbreak, let alone a global pandemic, is very low. If there were weapons programs, biological weapons programs in these labs, that would be very concerning to me. We have to figure that out now.”
Not kidding…
FYI, pneumonic plague is caused by the same bacteria responsible for bubonic plague and can spread through respiratory droplets from an infected person. Prompt treatment with antibiotics is essential.
So, is this the start of something bigger??? Hopefully not.
But with one lab worker dead, a medical facility quarantined, and nearly 200 people watching, it’s definitely a situation worth keeping a close eye on.
[Image via WENN]
