plaguetracker.com evidence snapshot v1
url: https://www.intellinews.com/russia-isolates-nearly-200-people-after-reported-plague-death-at-irkutsk-lab-473117/
captured_at: 2026-10-04T16:50:13.586Z
title: Russia isolates nearly 200 people after reported plague death at Irkutsk lab

Nearly 200 people have been placed under medical observation in Russia's Irkutsk region after a worker at the regional anti-plague institute reportedly died of plague, The Moscow Times reported on October 2. The outlet said Irkutsk officials had described the illness only as a “particularly dangerous infection”; Buryatia’s leader confirmed the death but did not specify the form of plague.                                                                            

The woman, identified by other media as Daria Sh. and aged 27 or 28, reportedly told medical staff she had accidentally broken a test tube containing live bacteria while collecting samples. She was hospitalised in Shelekhov on September 29 with severe pneumonia, placed on a ventilator and died on October 1, according to reports cited by The Moscow Times. Those reports described the suspected infection as pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs and can spread between people through respiratory droplets.                                                                            

At least 197 people who may have had contact with her were reportedly placed under medical isolation, including more than 100 in hospital wards. “All identified contact persons have been placed under medical observation. As of today, the contacts show no signs of illness, and their laboratory test results are negative,” Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev said on Friday, according to The Moscow Times.                                                                            

The Shelekhov district hospital was placed under quarantine pending an assessment by a special commission. Authorities cancelled planned public events in Irkutsk, while law enforcement reportedly opened a criminal investigation into potential health and safety violations resulting in death. The Moscow Times reported that Kobzev met Rospotrebnadzor chief Anna Popova to coordinate containment measures.                                                                            

Alexei Tsydenov, head of neighbouring Buryatia, said the woman had not visited his republic and that her infection was unrelated to the region. “There are no plague outbreaks in the republic, including in areas bordering Mongolia,” he wrote on social media. The Moscow Times said the form of plague had not been specified by Tsydenov.